IAEA Nuclear Medicine Experts Visit ABUTH Zaria to Strengthen Cancer Care and Diagnostic Capacity

Head, Nuclear Medicine department of the international Atomic energy Agency Prof. Salah Eddine Bouyoucef and Dr. Peter Knoll a Dosimetry and Medical Radiation physician of the IAEA Visit Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital on Thursday 9th April, 2026, they were received by the Ag. Chief Medical Director Prof. Mohammed Ibrahim Zaria on behalf of the Chief Medical Director.

The Ag. Chief Medical Director welcomes the members of the IAEA to the Hospital. He said ABU Teaching Hospital, had a collaboration with the IAEA, under the Federal Government National Cancer control program.

He further said that ABU Teaching Hospital used to be a famous Cancer treatment center in Nigeria and the only center of excellence in Northern Nigeria.

He requested the IAEA to intervene in this most critical aspect of Health care, for more collaborations and support, training and re-training of staff, to enable ABUTH attain quality of international standards of care, he said at present the existing building of the Nuclear Medicine of the Hospital will require renovations to meet with the international standards 

Dr Abubakar Lawal K/Bai a consultant Nuclear Medicine radiologist, said that Nuclear Medicine is positioned to provide earlier diagnosis than with other investigations, also to proper selection of cancer patients into those who will benefit from Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy, and those who will do better with other kinds of treatment, he said as a result it makes cancer treatment more successful 

He then requested the IAEA to support the Hospital with the following equipment for the smooth take off of the unit, SPECT/CT Scanner, PET/CT Scanner, Cyclotrons, Medical treadmill with accessories, and Cardiac defibrillator 

In his remarks the Head Department of Nuclear Medicine IAEA Prof Salah Eddine Bouyoucef, thanks to the Management of ABU Teaching Hospital, for the opportunity given to them to visit the Hospital, he said IAEA provides significant global benefits by promoting the peaceful, safe and secure use of Nuclear technology, Technical cooperation for development, Nuclear safety standards and verification services, support use of radiation for cancer diagnosis and treatment, ensure quality control of dosimetry. Facilitate the transfer of Nuclear technology to developing countries through projects, training, sharing technical knowledge, facilitating scientific advancement and fostering international collaboration in the Nuclear sector 

Members of the IAEA were then taken rounds to inspect the Nuclear Medicine building Complex, Radiotherapy & Oncology department, and Radiology department, and after the inspection the IAEA team were satisfied with what they have seen and promised to support, intervene and have more collaborations with the ABU Teaching Hospital 

Members of the IAEA were in ABUTH Zaria, on their scheduled visit to Nigeria where they were expected to meet with stakeholders in the Nuclear Medicines in some selected National institutions in the country, and ABU Teaching Hospital is one of the institutions