Zainab Abioye
Top health officials in Ogun State have commended oncology nurses at Jacaranda Cancer Centre, Abeokuta, for their dedication to cancer care, describing their role as emotionally demanding but critical to patient survival and recovery.
The officials gave the commendation during a Nurses Week celebration organised by the private specialist facility, which they said set a benchmark for recognising frontline health 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 centre distinguished itself as the first private health facility in the state this year to mark the global nursing celebration.
She also praised the hospital for maintaining high professional standards, stressing that quality care outweighs numerical strength in healthcare delivery.
“This is the first private facility this year that called us to celebrate Nurses Week. I observed that this hospital has not in any way recruited quacks. The number of nurses doesn’t matter; what matters is the quality,” she said.
Aminu emphasised that oncology nursing goes beyond clinical duties, requiring empathy, resilience, and sustained emotional support for patients and their families.
“Oncology is more than just being there to prevent. It is providing hope, comfort, time, and emotional support,” she added.
In her keynote address, the Deputy Provost of Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences, Dr Omowunmi Awonuga, highlighted the complex realities of oncology nursing, describing practitioners as a constant source of strength for patients undergoing treatment.
“You are the steady presence who holds the hand during the first chemotherapy infusion. You are the calm voice explaining complex treatment plans repeatedly,” she said.
Awonuga noted that oncology nurses often balance emotional strain with professional duty, celebrating patients’ progress while supporting families through difficult moments.
She commended the nurses for their professionalism and resilience, even in the face of 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, policy inclusion, and continuous professional development for nurses.
“Empowering nurses saves lives,” he said, urging stakeholders, including government and healthcare providers, to prioritise support systems for nursing professionals.
He also encouraged nurses to actively participate in the association to enhance 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, gynaecological oncologists, and anatomic pathologists.
According to her, the seven-bed facility provides comprehensive cancer care services, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care, supported by an operating theatre and private wards.
In an interview with journalists, the Head Nurse, Omotolani Oladipupo, expressed appreciation to the management for prioritising staff welfare and professional growth.
“Celebration of nurses is not everywhere. Jacaranda Cancer Centre is a good place to work because you are given opportunities to expand your knowledge and grow in oncology care,” she said.
Awonuga, in a separate interview, stressed the need for continuous training in nursing, noting that the profession is rapidly evolving alongside technological and clinical advancements.
She added that institutions must prioritise the production of highly skilled nurses capable of delivering holistic and modern healthcare.
The event underscored the growing importance of specialised oncology nursing in Nigeria, amid rising cancer cases and increasing demand for quality care.
Stakeholders at the gathering called for stronger institutional support for nurses, noting that their contributions remain central to improving patient outcomes and strengthening the healthcare system.
The management of Jacaranda Cancer Centre reaffirmed its commitment to delivering quality oncology services while investing in staff development and welfare.
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