Lagos: The Roche Products Ltd. has announced an ambitious goal to increase the percentage of breast cancer patients receiving appropriate treatment in Nigeria from the current 65% to 80% by 2030. This announcement was made by Dr. Ladi Hamed, the General Manager of Roche, during a workshop organized by the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) for journalists.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the two-day training workshop, themed ‘Elevating Science and Health Journalism’, highlighted the importance of accurate health reporting. Mr. Gilbert Ogbewele, representing Dr. Hamed, emphasized Roche’s commitment to partnering with HEWAN to disseminate life-saving information and improve breast cancer care in Nigeria through the Africa Breast Cancer Ambition (ABCA).

Mr. Chidozie Osibie, a Patient Journey Partner at Roche, shared insights on the economic impact of breast cancer, estimating the cost across ten African countries, including Nigeria, to be approximately $33 billion from 2017 to 2032. He explained that ABCA aims to transform survival rates by increasing early-stage diagnoses from 30-40% to 60% and improving the five-year survival rate for women with breast cancer in Nigeria.

To meet these targets, Roche has engaged in partnerships to promote early detection, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and reduce treatment costs. Osibie encouraged women to register with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to access affordable treatment options, facilitated by a cost-sharing agreement between NHIA and Roche.

Dr. Agatha David, Director of Research at NIMR, highlighted the low cancer survival rates in Nigeria and urged citizens to prioritize vaccination and immunization. She stressed the need for better cancer treatment and recommended exclusive breastfeeding to improve children’s health outcomes.

Mrs. Vivian Ihechu, President of HEWAN, described the workshop as essential for enhancing the skills of health journalists. She emphasized that effective journalism goes beyond reporting facts to saving lives, particularly in the context of breast cancer awareness and public health challenges.