As Nigeria joins the world in marking World Cancer Day, the country’s persistent challenges in cancer care including a severe shortage of specialists, exorbitant treatment costs, and late-stage diagnosis continue to endanger thousands of lives.
Critical Shortage of Oncologists
Nigeria is grappling with a dire shortage of radiation oncologists, with only one specialist for every 2,000 cancer patients, far exceeding the ideal ratio of 1:250-500. Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, President of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), described the situation as alarming, noting that less than 80 oncologists currently serve a population of over 200 million people.
The crisis is exacerbated by the “Japa” syndrome, where healthcare professionals migrate abroad for better opportunities, further depleting Nigeria’s medical workforce.
High Cost of Treatment Pushing Patients to the Brink
Cancer treatment remains prohibitively expensive, with stabilizing a breast cancer patient costing up to N20 million. Specialized tests like immunohistochemistry, crucial for personalized treatment, are unavailable in many hospitals due to cost constraints, forcing patients into generalized and often ineffective treatments.
The Nigerian Cancer Society has called for an increase in the Cancer Health Fund (CHF) allocation from N150 million to at least N1 billion in the 2025 national budget, warning that without dedicated funding, mortality rates will continue to rise.
Infrastructure vs. Manpower Shortage
While the Federal Government has approved the establishment of six additional cancer treatment centres, experts warn that these facilities will be ineffective without adequate specialists. Currently, only 12 hospitals in Nigeria offer radiotherapy services, a critical component of cancer treatment.
Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu, National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control and Nuclear Medicine Programme, admitted the manpower shortage but assured that the government is working on training more specialists and adopting a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.
Focus on Pediatric Cancer and Awareness Campaigns
The government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), is intensifying childhood cancer awareness by translating educational materials into multiple local languages. However, Nigeria still lacks dedicated pediatric oncology centres, making access to care for children even more difficult.
As the country commemorates World Cancer Day (February 4) with the theme “United by Unique,” experts and advocates emphasize the need for urgent action including increased funding, expanded facilities, and stronger manpower development to improve survival rates and ease the burden on cancer patients and their families.
