Yemisi Izuora
Dana Air is expanding its Corporate Social Responsibility with the recent Medical oncology training of 44 Nigerian Doctors at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja.
The Medical Oncology training held from 13th to 25th of August, is in collaboration with Project Pinkblue, a Nongovernmental organization, U.S Embassy in Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health.
Speaking on the initiative, the Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa said, “Giving back to the society in which we operate is part of our secrets of success. We are committed to the health and wellbeing of Nigerians and this training is part of the Upgrade Oncology initiative focused on strengthening the capacities of oncology education, medical oncology curriculum, oncology infrastructures and cancer treatment in Nigeria.”
“The training was led by two U.S. based Fulbright Specialists- Dr. Tracey O’Connor MD, a medical oncologist and associate professor at Rosswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA and Dr. Mike Martin MD, medical oncologist and associate professor of Medicine at West Cancer Center, University of Tenesse, Memphis, TN, USA.’’
According to the Executive Director of Project PinkBlue, Mr Runcie Chidebe, The two U.S. based medical oncologists also trained 56 doctors and healthcare workers at Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the 44 oncologists were drawn from all the centres of excellence (CoE) hospitals, namely: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, University of Port Teaching Hospital, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, University College Hospital, Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, National Hospital Abuja, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Gusau, Federal Medical Centre Bida, Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki, and two private facilities namely Lakeshore Cancer Centre and Asi Upko Diagnostic & Medical Centre.
Runcie while thanking Dana Air for its strong commitment to the fight against cancer in Nigeria since 2014 said “the fight against cancer cannot be won by using just one strategy, we must employ diversified strategies, and engage diversified stakeholders including the private sector. For instance, Dana Air has been supporting us since 2014, this is commendable! Let’s not be weary, let’s continue to support activities against cancer by all means possible”.
The Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Chris Bode who was present to supervise the training commended the initiative and was joined by other guests including Prof. F.A. Durosinmi-Etti, professor of radiation oncology and the President of Cancer Education and Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CEAFON).
Only recently, Dana Air bagged an award for its nationwide CSR initiatives as the Most Socially Responsible Airline by the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).
The airline having flown over 2.7million passengers in the last 9 years of its operations is one of Nigeria’s leading airlines with daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Owerri.