Cancer care research in the spotlight
The University of Namibia (UNAM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), recently hosted a first-of-its-kind workshop to deliberate on the enhancement of cancer care in Namibia.The two-day workshop comprised presentations by different stakeholders and professionals in healthcare including oncology, surgery, radiology, social work, and nursing to share knowledge and expertise on high-quality cancer care such as prevention, screening, treatment, clinical trials, palliative care and survivorship care.
Addressing the workshop participants, Prof Frednard Gideon, UNAM Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, applauded the support of DKFZ and the work they are doing in research for life without cancer. He expressed is gratitude to the delegation for their support in helping Namibia find solutions in the fight against cancer.
Gideon stated that it is through initiatives like this, where great minds come together for engagements, that “we can then develop capacity, infrastructure and strategies that address cancer care and provide better cancer treatment in Namibia”.
He called on the decentralisation of cancer care and making it available and accessible in other regions of the country to ease the burden of patients travelling to Windhoek to receive treatment.
‘Crucial’
Prof. Judith Hall, Executive Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, welcomed the participants to the workshop that took place at the Hage Geingob Campus earlier this month.
She said that this, being the first cancer care workshop, is crucial and that through this initiative, a lot more can be achieved to ensure cancer is treated better. “We are here as a multi-disciplinary team, caretakers and scientists trying to forge a way forward in providing the best cancer care.”
Also present at the workshop was Naemi Shoopala, Director for Primary Healthcare Services at MoHSS, who explained that cancer is the number one public health threat and one that requires an aggressive approach to reduce premature deaths.
“We need to act and we need to act now. Hosting this workshop is within the country’s priorities to improve early cancer detection and provide better palliative care to patients with cancer,” she said.
Linda Ratjama, a Laboratory Technician for the Biology section at the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) commended the organisers for putting the workshop together.
“As a young professional in the field of oncology, the lessons learned from this workshop contribute immensely to my work. Attending the workshop has equipped me to do better research as well as advise my students better when it comes to oncology research in Namibia,” she said.
The workshop was attended by stakeholders from the Namibian Oncology Centre, the Cancer Association of Namibia, Dr AB May Cancer Centre, Namibian Defence Force Health Services, and the Namibian Correctional Services.
The workshop, supported by the Else-Kroener-Fresenius Foundation, was CPD-certified by the Health Professions Councils of Namibia (HPCNA) for all eligible professionals who participated.
*Lydia Sageus is a communications assistant at the Corporate Engagement & International Relations Directorate, UNAM.