Nigerian minister calls for investment in radiopharmaceutical cancer therapy
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria Iziaq Salako called for increased investment in radiopharmaceutical therapy to strengthen cancer care and advance precision medicine in the country. His position was presented at the International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Therapy in Lagos.
According to Premium Times Nigeria, the two-day event was organized by the World Association of Radiopharmaceutical and Molecular Therapy, the Foundation for International Centers of Precision Oncology, and Loveworld Medical Centre. The symposium focused on more accurate and personalized cancer diagnosis and treatment for people in Africa.
Infrastructure and specialists
At the event, Salako was represented by David Oladele, Deputy Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. The minister described radiopharmaceutical therapy as an important field of modern medicine that combines nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, pharmaceutical sciences, oncology, and precision medicine for targeted cancer treatment.
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According to him, Nigeria needs to develop research, train specialists, and establish infrastructure for the safe and sustainable delivery of advanced therapies. He also called for cooperation between Nigerian and international institutions, technology transfer, and the creation of partnerships that should make this treatment more accessible.
Theranostics and actinium treatment
Masha Maharaj, president-elect of WARMTH, scientific chair of the symposium, and chief operating officer of Loveworld Medical Centre, said that education, research, and cooperation are important for the development of nuclear medicine. According to her, the symposia provide practical training for young scientists and new specialized units, enabling them to exchange experience with international experts.
Maharaj explained that theranostics combines diagnosis and treatment by identifying disease pathways and directly targeting tumor-specific receptors. She added that Nigeria has begun using actinium treatment for patients with breast cancer, sarcoma, and lung cancer. Loveworld Medical Centre’s medical director, Emeka Eze, noted that advanced medical care remains expensive.
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