Posted on: Tue 01-07-2025

Cancer remains one of the most formidable health challenges facing Nigeria today, yet a critical shortage of specialists threatens efforts to combat the disease effectively. According to Professor Abidemi Omonisi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), as many as sixteen states across the country currently have no clinical oncologists — the physicians specially trained to manage and treat cancer patients. This alarming revelation highlights a significant gap in Nigeria’s healthcare system at a time when the burden of cancer continues to rise.

Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the launch of Oncoseek — a groundbreaking blood-based test designed for the early detection of nine high-mortality cancers — Omonisi voiced deep concern over the absence of these vital professionals in many parts of the country. The event, part of a two-day workshop on the development of National Nuclear Medicine Guidelines and Policy, drew attention to the urgent need for systemic reforms in cancer care.

“About sixteen states have no clinical oncologists,” Omonisi stated. “Managing cancer is not like treating malaria, where one doctor can handle the case. Cancer care demands a multidisciplinary approach involving oncology nurses, pharmacists, and other specialists. The clinical oncologist is the cornerstone of this team, and their absence means that cancer management in these states is severely compromised.”

Pressed to identify the specific states affected, Omonisi refrained from naming them but emphasized the widespread inadequacy of cancer services across many regions. He pointed out that in some states, there is not even a designated officer responsible for cancer-related matters. The lack of reliable data on cancer patients further illustrates the weak structure of cancer control efforts at state and local government levels. “A state without records clearly shows there is no meaningful intervention,” he lamented. Equally troubling is the absence of basic diagnostic tools such as mammograms in some areas, forcing patients to travel long distances to access essential screening and care.

The event also featured remarks from Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, who acknowledged the growing cancer burden in the country. Salako reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to tackling the disease, noting that a range of programmes focused on prevention, treatment, and control are underway. Among these efforts is the ongoing construction of six cancer centres of excellence, strategically located across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to improve access to quality cancer care.

The situation described by Omonisi underscores the pressing need for Nigeria to strengthen its cancer care workforce and infrastructure. Without the essential expertise of clinical oncologists and supporting professionals, the nation’s battle against cancer remains hindered, leaving countless patients without the care they desperately need.

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