Rafindadi, a Professor of pathology at the Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria, made the disclosure at the 19th Annual General Meeting (AGM)
of Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAM) in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
He attributed the main causes of cancer to tobacco smoking,
drinking of alcohol among others and for the fact that many cases of cancer
were reported in the hospitals when they had reached 75 per cent to 80 percentages.
"Cancer causes dreaded mortality, emotional disturbances
and loss of loved ones.
"Our habit, environment, diet, lifestyles, behavioral
and economic factors cause cancer.
"Today, we have recorded about 102,000 cases of cancer
annually while 72,000 patients die annually. We have 50 per cent of these figure
to be breasts and cervical cancer," he said.
The professor expressed concern over lack of medical
equipment in few hospitals that specialized on treatment of cancer in the
country.
"Nigeria has nine radiotherapy equipment while
countries like Japan, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have enough equipment to
combat the dreaded disease."
In his remark, the National President of IMAM, Dr Salish
Ismail, said the association had provided free medical outreach to the less
privilege communities in the country, especially the Internally Displayed
Persons, (IDPs).
They said the outreaches were; free surgery in cataract and
Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) patients among others.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Chairman of IMAM, Dr Umar Kangiwa,
noted that cancer had eaten deep into the "fabric of societies."
"I, therefore, call on all stakeholders in the health
sector, policy makers and members of general society to work together toward
addressing healthcare challenges in Nigeria generally.
"I also appeal to all our members to remain resolute
and be dedicated to professionalism, ethical practice, sacrifices and
commitment to the health of our people and the larger family, " he urged (NAN).
No comments:
Post a Comment