FG seeks African-led research, partnerships to tackle hepatobiliary cancers

The Nigerian federal government is calling for a significant increase in African-led research, stronger partnerships, and sustainable financing to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatobiliary cancers across the continent. This appeal was made by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, at the fifth Africa Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancer Consortium (AHPBCC) Conference held in Abuja on Thursday.

Represented by Ali Gombe, director of clinical services at the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Mr. Salako emphasized the need for evidence tailored to African populations, disease patterns, and health system realities. He advocated for greater investment in research covering epidemiology, risk factors, genetics, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, supported by robust cancer registries, clinical trials, and collaborative research networks. The minister also highlighted the potential of digital health, genomics, and artificial intelligence in enhancing cancer surveillance and care.

"Research should translate into affordable, accessible, sustainable interventions for African populations," Mr. Salako stated, recognizing the AHPBCC as a vital platform for multidisciplinary collaboration. He detailed Nigeria's efforts under its National Strategic Cancer Control Plan to bolster cancer prevention, early detection, and expand diagnostic and treatment capabilities. This integrated approach covers risk reduction, health education, early diagnosis, referral, surgery, systemic therapy, radiotherapy, palliative care, and survivorship.

The government is also working to enhance financial protection through the National Cancer Health Fund, with plans to extend its coverage to include hepatobiliary cancers, which are currently excluded. Initiatives like the Nigerian Cancer Access Partnership, offering discounts on anti-cancer medications, and the proposed catastrophic health fund further aim to improve access to care.

Prevention remains a cornerstone of Nigeria's strategy, with a focus on tobacco control, promoting healthier lifestyles, and managing viral infections linked to cancer. For liver cancer, particularly hepatitis, emphasis is placed on vaccination, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis B and C. Nigeria is also investing in specialist training, laboratory infrastructure, cancer treatment centers, and knowledge exchange programs. Mr. Salako stressed the importance of collective action, urging governments, researchers, academia, civil society, development partners, and the private sector to collaborate, as no single entity can tackle the cancer burden alone.

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Research should translate into affordable, accessible, sustainable interventions for African populations