Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Director General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, has tasked the healthcare practitioners to capitalize on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to turn the tide against cancer in the country.
He gave the task at the launch of a capacity building on Artificial Intelligence applications in cancer across the six geographical zones held at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin.
Prof. Aliyu said Artificial Intelligence is transforming healthcare, especially in cancer care as it has the ability to improve early detection, diagnosis, including personalizing treatments.
Aliyu added that, besides the aforementioned, it also helps them to understand cancer biology better, identify high-risk groups and develop targeted strategies.
Prof. Aliyu who was represented by Dr. Ikhile Emmanuel, Head of Department, Radiation and Clinical Oncology (UBTH), stressed that cancer is a leading cause of illness and death and that Nigerians must act now to address the issue.
According to Aliyu “As we launch this programme, we are reminded of the significant burden of cancer in Nigeria. Cancer is a leading cause of illness and death and we must act now to address this issue. With AI, we can turn the tide against cancer. We can improve survival rates, reduce suffering and enhance the quality of life for cancer patients”
For the Clinical AI Specialist, Resident Doctor, Department of Radiation/Clinical Oncology, UBTH, Dr. Olubola Adegbosin, while stating the importance of AI to cancer treatment, she said, AI can help healthcare professionals work faster and improve patient outcomes adding that, the goal is to make nurses, lab technicians, and specialists AI literate and to improve patient care.
Also speaking, an Oncologist – Radiation, specialist, Dr. Lucy Eriba, UBTH, said Artificial intelligence, is almost taking over the world. So, in oncology space, they really need to bring it into limelight.
She said why AI is important is because early detection is key in tackling cancer.
On the part of the Chief Medical Director, UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, represented by the Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee (CMA), Prof. Stanley Okugbo, she called on NICRAT to sustain the partnership.
“And I want to say this again. Practically all the machines that UBTH is acquiring right now are AI enabled.
“So, I want all of us to see this as opportunities to advance our clinical argument and proficiency and see how we can work seamlessly to position this new UBTH care’s agenda.
“So, I want to commend the organizers, the resource persons, our partners for this forward-looking initiative.
“Want to thank NICRAT and we think this initiative is something that should be sustained especially as we begin to build capacity because when we start now, this capacity is only going to grow”, the UBTH CMD said.