The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, has called for increased investment in radiopharmaceutical therapy to strengthen cancer care and advance precision medicine in Nigeria.

Mr Salako made the call at the International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Therapy (ISRT) event held on Friday in Lagos.

The World Association of Radiopharmaceutical and Molecular Therapy (WARMTH), the International Centres for Precision Oncology Foundation and Chris Oyakhilome Loveworld Medical Centre organised the one-day event.

The symposium aims to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment in Africa through more accurate, personalised care.

Representing the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, David Oladele, deputy director of research, commended the organisers and stakeholders for addressing Nigeria’s growing cancer burden.

He described radiopharmaceutical therapy as an important frontier in modern medicine, combining nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, pharmaceutical sciences, oncology and precision medicine for targeted cancer treatment.

“Developing Nigeria’s capacity in the emerging field is crucial to improving access to advanced cancer treatment and reducing limitations associated with conventional therapies.

“Nigeria’s cancer response must embrace innovation, strengthen research and development, build a skilled workforce and establish infrastructure for safe and sustainable delivery of advanced therapies,” he said.

The minister said the federal government remained committed to strengthening the health system under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Health Sector Reform Investment Initiative.

He urged participants to deepen collaboration between Nigerian and international institutions, promote technology transfer, strengthen capacity development and develop partnerships to make radiopharmaceutical therapy more accessible.

Mr Salako expressed hope that the symposium would produce actionable recommendations and partnerships to strengthen cancer care and advance precision medicine across Nigeria.

He congratulated the organisers and wished participants fruitful deliberations and a successful symposium.

Delivering the opening remarks, Deola Philips, executive minister, Ministry of Healing and Social Services, and chairman, Loveworld Medical Centre, commended Pastor Chris Oyakhilome for his compassion toward the sick.

Ms Philips said Mr Oyakhilome’s compassion had inspired healthcare initiatives, including trauma care, blood donation, volunteer medical services and community clinics.

“The initiatives have trained first responders, reached millions of beneficiaries, mobilised safe blood, provided free healthcare and expanded eye care for visually impaired persons,” she said.

She said ISRT promoted precise, personalised cancer care, strengthened local expertise and demonstrated Africa’s capacity to develop and deliver advanced diagnostics and targeted treatments to international standards.

Also speaking, Masha Maharaj, president-elect of WARMTH, ISRT Scientific chair and director of operations, Loveworld Medical Centre, said collaboration, education and research were crucial to advancing nuclear medicine globally.

She said ISRT symposiums provided practical workshops for young scientists and emerging departments to gain knowledge and confidence, exchange ideas and collaborate with international experts.

“Theranostics combine diagnosis and treatment by identifying disease pathways and directly targeting tumour-specific receptors, reducing harm to healthy cells and improving patients’ quality of life,” she said.

She said research showed that theranostics could improve outcomes for patients with advanced prostate cancer, adding that Nigeria had begun actinium treatments for breast cancer, sarcoma and lung cancer.

In a video displayed on a slide, Savvas Frangeras, nuclear physician from Cyprus and president of the World Federation of Nuclear Medicine, praised Ms Maharaj for fostering cooperation between the organisations.

Mr Frangeras said the symposium supported international efforts to strengthen nuclear medicine in Africa and develop sustainable strategies to address the continent’s challenges.

He expressed hope that the Nigerian Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging would join the initiative, wishing participants a successful and productive symposium.

Richard Baum, a pioneer in molecular imaging, theranostics and radiopharmaceutical therapy, said the professional environment provided ideal conditions for learning, exchange and international friendships.

Mr Baum commended Ms Maharaj and her team for creating a platform that advanced radiopharmaceutical therapy, precision oncology, collaboration and global partnerships for patients in Africa and beyond.

Emeka Eze, medical director of Loveworld and chairman of ISRT 2026, said precision oncology offered targeted cancer care, potentially reducing the side effects of conventional chemotherapy while improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Mr Eze said radiopharmaceuticals targeted diseased cells and helped detect cancers and other conditions, describing nuclear medicine technology at Loveworld Medical Centre as a major treatment breakthrough.

He commended the Nigerian government for supporting nuclear medicine and assured cancer patients of scientifically proven treatment alternatives, although he acknowledged that advanced medical care remained expensive.

Anthony Oseghale, director of health services at the Ministry of Healing, Health and Social Services, Loveworld Nation, commended Mr Oyakhilome for his compassion and global healthcare interventions.

Mr Oseghale said ISRT 2026 reflected Loveworld’s commitment to precision medicine, while Vision 10,000 provided free eye surgeries, eyeglasses, medication and specialist consultations, reaching thousands of people.

He said the volunteer medical corps comprised millions of health professionals and students providing free healthcare, while community clinics offered free services, medications and consumables across communities.

According to him, Loveworld Medical Centre has expanded access to advanced healthcare, with plans for a community clinic in Kenya, enabling patients to receive specialised treatment without travelling abroad.

(NAN)