Director of Research and Innovation at the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, NICRAT, Dr. Nwamaka Lasebikan, has called for strategic investment in cancer care in Nigeria, particularly in Enugu State.
Lasebikan, the immediate past Director of the Oncology Center at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, expressed concern that cancer remains a devastating health challenge in the state.
She emphasized that as a key commercial and academic hub in Southeast Nigeria, Enugu must prioritize cancer care not only as a health necessity but also as a strategic economic opportunity.
Speaking on Tuesday during the commemoration of the 2025 World Cancer Day, Lasebikan, who is also the National President of the Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists in Nigeria, ARCON, urged the Enugu State government to integrate cancer care as a strategic priority in its health reform agenda.
Lasebikan noted that cancer incidence is on the rise in Nigeria, with breast, cervical, and prostate cancers being the most prevalent. She cited data from the Enugu Cancer Registry, which recorded over 3,000 cases within a five-year period, cautioning that the actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting and inadequate diagnostic access.
“In a state with a population exceeding four million, thousands of families are devastated by cancer-related deaths each year,” she stated.
Despite the presence of a functional cancer center at UNTH, Lasebikan highlighted several challenges impeding effective cancer care in the state.
These, she said, include acute shortage of skilled oncology specialists, lack of radiotherapy and advanced diagnostic infrastructure at Parklane Hospital, and high treatment costs and limited health insurance coverage, among others.
The medical expert emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach involving the government, private sector, and diaspora investors. She urged stakeholders to invest in workforce development, infrastructure expansion, and health policy reforms to improve cancer care.
“The state government, philanthropists, and investors must commit to building a comprehensive cancer care ecosystem. This will not only improve survival rates but also create economic opportunities and position Enugu as a hub for medical excellence in the Southeast,” she said.
Lasebikan pointed out the severe shortage of oncologists in the country, revealing that while global standards recommend one oncologist per 250 cancer patients, Nigeria has fewer than 80 specialists for an estimated 120,000 cancer patients. This results in a staggering ratio of one oncologist per 1,600 patients.
“In Enugu, the gap is even wider, with only four specialist radiation/clinical oncologists. This forces many patients to seek treatment in Lagos, Abuja, or even abroad, exacerbating health inequities and financial hardship for families,” she added.
Lasebikan further stressed that integrating cancer care into Enugu State’s health system transformation will save lives, build a resilient economy, and establish the state as a leader in specialized healthcare services.