Experts harmonise Nigeria’s priority areas for imPACT review meeting – NICRAT

NICRAT posted on X:

“Cancer control: Experts harmonise Nigeria’s priority areas for imPACT review meeting

In an effort to strengthen cancer control in Nigeria, renown experts in different specialties of cancer drawn from different parts of the country held a meeting – the Nigeria imPACT review preparatory mission, in Abuja, on Friday, May 16, 2024. This is in preparation for the upcoming imPACT review meeting.

The experts in attendance include those working in both private and public sectors. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) under the umbrella of the Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS) were also represented. The meeting is primarily to harmonized and bring to the table cancer care priorities in Nigeria.

The meeting was triggered by the Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria which requested for an imPACT review, a comprehensive situational analysis of cancer control in Nigeria with experts’ recommendation for next steps to further strengthen cancer control.

The objectives of the meeting include to obtain key insights on national strategic priorities, key stakeholders and country context in order to inform imPACT review preparations; provide high-level briefings on imPACT review, provide in-depth briefings on imPACT methodology to national focal point and team and advance self-assessment questionnaires with national focal team.

Other objectives of the meeting are to advance preparations on imPACT Terms of Reference (scope, timeline, in-country mission agenda, logistics etc.), ensure access to key stakeholders and sites for full in-country mission and coordinate with the World Health Organization (WHO) partners, capitalizing on country and regional presence.

Speaking while declaring the meeting open, the Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Aliyu Malami, assured that his Institute is ready to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to improve cancer care in the country.

He applauded the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government for making cancer care one of its topmost priorities.
Prof. Usman Aliyu Malami also commended the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for their encouragement and support.”

Source: NICRAT/X