NICRAT urges healthcare workers to use AI against cancer

From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin

The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, has tasked healthcare practitioners with leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to turn the tide against cancer in the country.

He gave the charge at the launch of a capacity-building programme on artificial intelligence applications in cancer care, held across the six geopolitical zones and hosted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Benin.

Prof. Aliyu said artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare, especially in cancer care, as it has the ability to improve early detection and diagnosis, including personalising treatments.

He added that, beyond these benefits, it also helps in understanding cancer biology better, identifying high-risk groups, and developing targeted strategies.

Represented by Dr Ikhile Emmanuel, Head of the Department of Radiation and Clinical Oncology at UBTH, Prof. Aliyu disclosed that cancer is a leading cause of illness and death and that Nigerians must act now to address the issue.

“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,” he said.

In her remarks, Clinical AI Specialist and Resident Doctor in the Department of Radiation and Clinical Oncology at UBTH, Dr Olubola Adegbosin, highlighted the importance of AI in cancer treatment, saying that AI can help healthcare professionals work faster and improve patient outcomes. She added that the goal is to make nurses, lab technicians, and specialists AI-literate and to improve patient care.

Also speaking, an oncologist and radiation specialist at UBTH, Dr Lucy Eriba, said: “Artificial intelligence is almost taking over the world. So, in oncology space, they really need to bring it into limelight.”

She said AI is important because early detection is key in tackling cancer.

For his part, the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, represented by the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Prof. Stanley Okugbo, 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.

“I 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 added.