In a significant milestone for cancer care in Northern Nigeria, the Kano Cancer Treatment Centre (KCTC) has commenced brachytherapy services, marking a major advancement in the region’s healthcare delivery.
The breakthrough was unveiled on Friday at the centre in Kano.
Briefing journalists, the Chief Executive Officer of KCTC, Dr. Nafisa Abdul, explained that brachytherapy is a specialized form of radiation therapy.
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According to her, the treatment delivers high doses of radiation directly to cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs.
Dr. Nafisa noted that KCTC remains one of the most affordable cancer treatment centres, offering state-of-the-art services, including the newly introduced 3D brachytherapy technology.
She emphasized that the Kano has invested heavily in equipping the centre to ensure patients receive quality treatment at highly subsidized costs.
“We are proud of this milestone, as it is the first 3D brachytherapy equipment in Northern Nigeria. We are unique and niche,” she said.
The CEO also urged patients to seek early medical attention for timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
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Also speaking, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Aminu Liman, explained that brachytherapy sessions are essential in completing the full radiation dose required for treating cancers such as cervical cancer, with patients typically undergoing two sessions per week.
He added that the availability of the service locally would ease the burden on patients who previously had to travel long distances, incurring additional costs for transportation and accommodation.
“Before now, patients had to travel and spend heavily, but this service is now available at their doorstep,” he said.
A Medical Physicist at the centre, Abbas Umar Faruk, highlighted that the facility is designed to minimize side effects through advanced technologies such as 3D radiation therapy.
He explained that the CT simulator scans patients and transmits images to the planning unit for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
In his remarks, the Lead Radiation Therapist at KCTC, Peter Emmanuel Mshelia, said advanced treatment techniques, including image-guided radiotherapy, ensure reduced toxicity and faster recovery for patients.
He further noted that the centre operates round-the-clock services, stressing the importance of uninterrupted electricity supply to sustain its operations.