11th POSON National Scientific Conference and Workshop
The Psycho-oncology Society of Nigeria (POSON) held her 11th National Scientific Conference and Workshop in Ibadan from the 16th – 17th of June 2022. The theme of the event was “Psychotherapeutic Assessment and Research in Psycho-Oncology”. The opening ceremony for the event was graced by the University College Hospital (UCH) management team comprising the Chief Medical Director (CMD) and Chief Host of the event Prof Jesse A. Otegbayo, ably represented by the Chief Medical Advisory Committee Chair (CMAC) in person of Dr. Abiodun Adeoye; the Director of Administration Mr S. O. Oladejo and the DCMAC Ethics Dr. Michael Obaro.
In her welcome address, the LOC Chairperson, Dr Foluke Sarimiye reiterated the significance and importance of Psycho-Oncology services in the effective management of cancer across the cancer trajectory from prevention to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and approaching end of life through clinical care, training and research.
Dr Abiodun Adeoye the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) chair who represented the Chief Medical Director (CMD) at the event noted that the burden of cancer is increasing daily so those who would be able to apply the therapeutic models provided by the field of psycho-oncology are highly needed to give comfort and solace to cancer patients. The CMAC declared the meeting open on behalf of the management while extending the warm regard of the CMD who was unavoidably absent.
The POSON President Dr Elizabeth Akin-Odanye, in her welcome speech appealed to the hospital management and health policy makers in Nigeria to give greater support to ensure the provision of accessible and affordable psychosocial care services to those affected by cancer. She further urged the Chief Medical Directors and management team of hospitals in Nigeria to invest in the training of their oncology staff to provide psychosocial oncology care in cancer clinics by enrolling them into The University of Ibadan MSc Psycho-Oncology program to help build needed manpower in this soft sub-specialty of oncology. She emphasized the need for all public and private health facilities treating cancer patients to create teams that would cater for the psychosocial care needs of the patients and their caregivers.
Dr Tony Marinho, a member of POSON Board of Trustees in his goodwill message requested on behalf of the society and cancer patients in particular that the CMD takes positive steps to allocate a permanent space where a structure can be built in collaboration with philanthropic organizations and/or individuals for the provision of psycho-oncology services within the hospital environs.
In her goodwill message, the immediate past president and founder of POSON, Prof Chioma Asuzu noted that UCH is leading Africa in the practice of psycho-oncology. She urged the UCH management to appropriately recognize and encourage the practice of psycho-oncology by properly integrating it into the cancer care routine of all clinics in the hospital where cancer patients are treated.
Prof Adeniyi Adenipekun in his presentation on the ‘Rising Burden of Cancer’ encouraged individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles and engage in regular cancer screening as early detection is germane to improving cancer outcomes. Also present at the event were Prof Michael Asuzu a member of POSON Board of Trustees, the Head Department of Radiation Oncology Dr Abbas A. Abdus-Salam and the Director/Head Clinical Nursing Department Dr Patricia Onianwa. At the close of the 11th Psycho-Oncology National Scientific Conference, participants attested to having had a rewarding learning experience and pledged to promote the practice of psycho-oncology in their respective hospitals.