‘Nigeria needs to address rising incidence of cancer’
Uche Emeribe, head of Oncology Nursing at Lakeshore Cancer Centre, Nigeria’s first operational facility solely dedicated to cancer prevention and treatment. Emeribe tells OBOKOH ANTHONIA in this interview about the international conference on oncology nursing in November and what Nigeria can do to deepen oncology nursing and provide quality cancer care Excerpts:
Kindly tell us about the international conference on oncology nursing and cancer care that is coming up?
The Nursing conference is scheduled for November 2018.The cancer statistics are dismal. In a bid to improve quality cancer nursing care thereby reducing mortality and morbidity, we have come up with this conference and a theme which is “holistic nursing in cancer care: an interdisciplinary approach”.
Holistic nursing is an all-encompassing care with “healing the whole person” as its goal. As nurses, we must be knowledgeable about how disease affects our patients and see each patient as a whole person not just a patient or diagnosis.
Holistic nursing is integrated care involving the spiritual, religious, psychological, social, cultural differences. Every member of the healthcare team has an input in what is a tight multidisciplinary unit.
Give us an insight into the state of oncology nursing in Nigeria
Oncology Nursing is an emerging nursing specialty. Oncology nurses provide care for cancer patients and those at risk of getting the disease. They monitor physical condition and administer various cancer treatments including supportive care.
In Nigeria, the rising incidence of cancer and the care required have necessitated the need for oncology nurses. Training and specialization continue to be inconsistent with no specific content related to cancer during nursing diploma, undergraduate and post graduate training in Nigeria.
Recently the Federal Government of Nigeria has proposed the establishment of schools for oncology nursing training. National hospital Abuja offers diploma course for registered nurses for 1 year. Forms are usually out in May/June and accreditation with Nursing and Midwifery Council is on-going. This is work in progress.
Oncology nursing is not yet mainstream in Nigeria, what is required to achieve it?
What is required to make Oncology Nursing mainstream in Nigeria is by building capacity of the nurses through trainings and specialised oncology education, also paying attention to accrediting more oncology schools.
There should be on going education by the few existing Oncology units to organise open days and seminars when nurses can ask questions and make enquiries.
How can Nigeria provide quality oncology cancer care?
The country can provide quality Oncology Cancer Care by increased cancer information, dissemination, education and cancer outreach services nationwide. Also better opportunities for cancer training for relevant healthcare providers and advocates, improved documentation of the location and quality of existing cancer facilities, manpower and services through the establishment of national and regional registration centers for cancer facility proposed activities
Facilitate the process of quality palliative care services including pain control through advocacy to lift the ban on importation of narcotic analgesics.
Creation of opportunities for national and international cancer research collaborations among institutions and scientists
Integration of primary prevention into primary healthcare (PHC) delivery for example human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, screening measures and development of comprehensive database of incidence and diagnosis of cancer.
How can care provided by specialist cancer nurse help improve life expectancy of patients?
Care provided by Specialist Cancer Nurses can help improve life expectancy in the following ways where there is a lowered risk of early death or emergency.
Helping the patient cope better with treatment and its side effects thereby reducing mortality rate especially for chemotherapy and there is increased confidence boost when a patient is appropriately supported, the patient’s satisfaction and quality of care help them live longer and stay happy.
Please, kindly throw light on paediatric cancer nursing and care
Paediatric cancer nurses are registered nurses who undergo advanced training that equips them to provide care to young children and adolescents with cancer.
These nurses have roles which include: giving injections, Inserting IV lines, administer chemo and radiation therapies and other the hand, the skills include: excellent communication skills, liaising between the patient, patient’s family and multidisciplinary team, and also been able to provide patients and their families with the knowledge and emotional support to cope with the challenge
What is your advice on oncology rehabilitation in Nigeria?
To revive our oncology care in Nigeria, we need to have the following things in place: Staff education and public awareness on screening platforms, increase cancer treatment centers and accessibility to poor and rural areas, drugs should be available and subsidised, screening centers should be increased.
However, Government’s attitude towards policy formulation and implementation should increase; Health professionals should be well paid and studies should be sponsored by government to help the oncology in the country.
What is underreported about nursing in cancer care?
While we continue to expand cancer care in Nigeria, Violence is often underreported or ignored by health care workers, this may take many forms either verbal abuse, sexual harassment to physical assault, this are issues that need to be tackled for the safety of health workers in the industry.