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JNCI Equips New University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital Cancer Centre with Cutting-Edge Radiotherapy Equipment

The Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu Cancer Center, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, was commissioned on Thursday, 2^nd March 2023 by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR). The comprehensive cancer center, equipped by JNC International Limited, currently houses two Elekta linear accelerators for cancer treatment amongst several other cutting-edge medical equipment:

• The Elekta Versa HD Digital Linear Accelerator (for SBRT/SRS, Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatment & Radiotherapy)
• The Elekta Infinity Linear Accelerator which is used in aiming radiation at cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy.

Some of the other medical equipment at the center include an Elekta Flexitron Brachytherapy with Cobalt 60 source & applicators, a complete brachytherapy suite, a Canon large Core CT scanner, etc.

Speaking on the partnership and commissioning of the center, the MD/CEO of JNCI (representatives of Elekta in Nigeria) stated, “We congratulate the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on this ground-breaking milestone in cancer care in Nigeria. We are proud to be part of making history with the facility as the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator installed at the center is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Elekta Infinity linear accelerator is the first of its kind in Nigeria. We believe that with the state-of-the-art equipment at the center, cancer care in the region and the country at large is bound to improve.

This is in line with our commitment to improving cancer care in Nigeria.”

With the Versa HD linear accelerator, high-definition dynamic radiosurgery for cancer treatment can be seamlessly carried out at the center. The Versa HD delivers absolute reliability, accuracy and confidence in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) treatments in treating complex kinds of cancer. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) precisely target tumors. The processes are used to treat tumors and other problems in the brain, neck, lungs, liver, spine, and other parts of the body with a high dose of radiation. Both treatments are non-invasive.

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo stated, “The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital is now, without doubt, the largest hospital in Nigeria. We have 1200 beds surpassing the University College Hospital (UCH) and the Lagos University of Teaching Hospital. Before now, the Northeast was the only region that did not have a radiotherapy center. Now patients in the region do not have to travel to get cancer treatment.”