To improve and increase cancer detection and diagnosis in the country, the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) and Sub-Saharan Africa Lymphoma Consortium (SSAIC) have collaborated to train doctors on the detection and treatment of AIDS and Non-AIDS associated Lymphomas.

At a two-day training, which held at IHVN training room, topics such as clinical ethics, research management and administration, and cancer detection were addressed. The 33 participants at were drawn from 11 federal health institutions were given lectures and practical sessions on how to use a biopsy needle to take samples from patients for diagnosis.

A participant at the training, Dr. Olabode Peter Oluwole from the University of Abuja said the training “is beneficial in increasing the quality of care especially of Lymphoma and other related cancers that IHVN is pioneering in Nigeria.“We were able to see what is done in the developed nations, and it was quite challenging that they have made such technological advancement and then see if we can learn from them by collaborating with them,” he said. Another participant at the training, Dr. ObeInodu, noted that the training brought together surgeons, hematologists and pathologists involved in care for cancer patients to harmonize their way of doing things.

According to IHVN Fogarty Coordinator, Dr. ElimaJedy-Agba, the training will be held at least once a year for the next five years. Facilitators in the training include IHVN Director Strategic Information and Research, Prof.Clement Adebamowo and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa Lymphoma Consortium (SSAIC), Prof. Leona Ayers.Participants went home with biopsy needles and publications on cancer.