Adeboje Lukman
Doctors and other health professionals have raised concerns over the shortage of cancer treatment facilities and inadequate equipment in Nigeria, warning that the situation is contributing to delays in accessing life-saving care.
The concern is particularly significant in the South-West, where the increasing number of cancer patients places enormous pressure on the few available specialised treatment centres. Some patients reportedly wait for several months before accessing radiotherapy, with the high patient volume contributing to lengthy treatment queues.
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Muibat Idris-Adeniran, highlighted the challenges in a recent social media post, describing the scarcity of cancer centres as one of the major difficulties Nigerians face in cancer treatment.
According to her, the challenges go beyond the number of treatment centres. She pointed to poor facilities and malfunctioning machines in some available centres, inadequate motivation for healthcare workers, and insufficient funding for medical training and research.
She also raised concerns about overcrowding at the available centres, noting that the pressure on existing facilities can contribute to equipment breakdown and further delays in treatment.
She further questioned the availability of advanced technical and modular machines needed to improve modern cancer treatment, stressing that Nigeria still lacks adequate access to such equipment.
Radiotherapy is an important component of cancer treatment, but access remains a major challenge in Nigeria. Reports have previously highlighted the limited number of radiotherapy facilities and the impact of equipment availability and maintenance on patients’ access to treatment.
The situation has renewed calls for increased government investment in cancer care, modern treatment equipment, regular maintenance of existing machines, better funding for research and training, and improved working conditions for healthcare professionals.
With Nigeria facing a growing cancer burden, stakeholders say expanding treatment capacity and ensuring that existing facilities remain functional will be essential to reducing waiting times and improving access to cancer care.