Two weeks after HealthNews.NG exclusively reported that the delivery of a second radiotherapy machine to the National Hospital Abuja had been delayed, installation of the new machine has finally gotten underway. The machine was reported supplied by JNC International Ltd.
According to the information gathered by HealthNews.NG from the federal health ministry, the National Hospital, has taken delivery of the second Radiotherapy machine for Cancer treatment, the machine is the Elekta machine for Linear Accelerator (LINAC).
The health ministry said the machine’s several components are being coupled and installed.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD), National Hospital, Dr. Jeff Momoh, said the Abuja Radiotherapy centre would be the only centre in West Africa running two Linear accelerators at the same time. This, the CMD explained, was to avoid running down the first machine which has currently treated over 200 patients.
Describing the arrival of the second machine as a major breakthrough for the country, the CMD said its installation would further check medical tourism as patients who travelled abroad for cancer treatment would return home to receive treatment at the centre.
“A cancer patient has returned from India for treatment at the centre and we will soon see patients from other sub-regions receiving cancer treatment in the hospital because with the state of the art equipment available, it will be the best Cancer treatment centre in West Africa,” he said.
He noted that the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, saw to the delivery of the machine and similar machines are expected to be installed in each of the six geopolitical zones in the country.
HealthNews.NG got a copy of the site requirements for the installation of the machine (find below).
AcceleratorNigerians are to be responsible for the maintenance and optimum functionality of the machine and the National Hospital Abuja jad already trained the first set of Nigerians on the maintenance and supervision of the Linear Accelerator under the supervision of Engr. Ikede John, a Deputy Director in the National Hospital, Abuja.