The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, has called for increased investment in radiopharmaceutical therapy to strengthen cancer care and advance precision medicine in Nigeria. Mr Salako made the call at the International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Therapy (ISRT) event held on Friday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Association of Radiopharmaceutical and Molecular Therapy (WARMTH), International Centres for Precision Oncology Foundation and Chris Oyakhilome Loveworld Medical Centre, organised the two- day event. NAN reports that the symposium targets better, more accurate and personalised cancer diagnosis and treatment for people in Africa.
Represented by David Oladele, Deputy Director, Research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Mr Salako commended the organisers and stakeholders for addressing Nigeria’s growing cancer burden. He described radiopharmaceutical therapy as an important frontier in modern medicine, combining nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, pharmaceutical sciences, oncology and precision medicine for targeted cancer treatment.
“Developing Nigeria’s capacity in the emerging field is crucial to improving access to advanced cancer treatment and reducing limitations associated with conventional therapies,” he said.
“Nigeria’s cancer response must embrace innovation, strengthen research and development, build a skilled workforce and establish infrastructure for safe and sustainable delivery of advanced therapies.” The minister said the federal government remained committed to strengthening the health system under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Health Sector Reform Investment Initiative.
He urged participants to deepen collaboration between Nigerian and international institutions, promote technology transfer, strengthen capacity development and develop partnerships to make radiopharmaceutical therapy more accessible. Mr Salako expressed hope that the symposium would produce actionable recommendations and partnerships capable of strengthening cancer care and advancing precision medicine across Nigeria.