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Zainab Abioye
Senior health officials in Ogun State have commended oncology nurses at the Jacaranda Cancer Centre, Abeokuta, for their dedication to cancer care, describing their role as emotionally demanding but crucial to the survival and recovery of patients.
The officials delivered the commendation during the Nurses Week celebration organized by the private specialized facility, which they said is a benchmark for recognizing frontline healthcare workers in the state.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Nursing Services, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr. Sherifat Omobolanle Aminu, noted that the center stood out as the first private healthcare facility in the state this year to celebrate the comprehensive nursing celebration.
He also commended the hospital for maintaining high professional standards, stressing that quality care trumps numerical strength in healthcare delivery.
“This is the first private facility this year that has called us to celebrate Nurses Week. I have observed that this hospital has in no way recruited quacks. The number of nurses does not matter; what matters is the quality,” he said.
Aminu emphasized that oncology nursing goes beyond clinical duties, requiring empathy, resilience and sustained emotional support for patients and their families.
“Oncology is much more than being there to prevent. It provides hope, comfort, time and emotional support,” he added.
In her keynote address, the Vice Chancellor of Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences, Dr. Omowunmi Awonuga, highlighted the complex realities of oncology nursing, describing professionals as a constant source of strength for patients undergoing treatment.
“You are the constant presence that holds the hand during the first infusion of chemotherapy. You are the calm voice that repeatedly explains complex treatment plans,” he said.
Awonuga noted that oncology nurses often balance emotional strain with professional duty, celebrating patients’ progress and supporting families during difficult times.
He praised nurses for their professionalism and resilience, even when faced with emotionally taxing situations.
Also speaking, the Ogun State Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Comrade Fashina, called for improved welfare, political inclusion and continuous professional development for nurses.
“Empowering nurses saves lives,” she said, urging stakeholders, including government and healthcare providers, to prioritize support systems for nursing professionals.
He also encouraged nurses to actively participate in the association to improve job security and career growth.
A nurse at the centre, Taiwo, while presenting a brief history of the facility, said the hospital was established on September 24, 2019 by a team of cancer specialists, including radiation and clinical oncologists, surgical oncologists, gynecological and anatomical oncologists.
According to her, the seven-bed facility provides comprehensive cancer care services, including screening, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care, supported by an operating theater and private wards.
In an interview with journalists, the Head Nurse, Omotolani Oladipupo, expressed appreciation to the management for giving priority to the well-being and professional growth of the staff.
“The celebration of nurses is not everywhere. The Jacaranda Cancer Center is a good place to work because you are given the opportunity to expand your knowledge and grow in oncology care,” she said.
Awonuga, in a separate interview, highlighted the need for continuing education in nursing, noting that the profession is evolving rapidly alongside technological and clinical advances.
He added that institutions must prioritize producing highly trained nurses who can provide holistic and modern healthcare.
The event highlighted the growing importance of specialized oncology nursing in Nigeria, against a backdrop of rising cancer cases and growing demand for quality care.
Stakeholders at the meeting called for greater institutional support for nurses, underlining that their contribution remains critical to improving patient outcomes and strengthening the healthcare system.
Jacaranda Cancer Center management has reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality oncology services by investing in staff development and well-being.
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