In a step toward transforming cancer care in Nigeria, the MedServe-LUTH Cancer Centre (MLCC)—formerly known as NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre—has launched a five-day Hematopathology Boot Camp aimed at strengthening the country’s diagnostic capacity. Organised in partnership with BioVentures for Global Health (BVGH), Roche and other oncology stakeholders, the training is designed to equip haematologists and pathologists with the advanced skills needed to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
Speaking at the opening of the boot camp in Lagos, Dr. Lilian Ekpo, Director of the MedServe-LUTH Cancer Centre, said the initiative is part of MedServe’s broader mission to drive improvements in cancer care nationwide. “The goal is to enhance accuracy in cancer diagnosis so that patients receive timely and appropriate treatment,” she said.
MedServe is the healthcare investment arm of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and its ongoing strategy includes not only improving access to cancer care but also addressing long-standing gaps in training and infrastructure. According to Dr. Ekpo, one of the most pressing challenges in cancer treatment in Nigeria is inadequate diagnostic precision. “You cannot treat what you don’t know. This programme is helping to bridge that gap by empowering specialists with tools to identify and classify cancers more precisely,” she said.
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The boot camp features internationally renowned facilitators, including Dr. Steve Cusick and Kim Thompson from the United States—both experts in haematopathology—who are supporting the initiative through BVGH. The participants, drawn from teaching hospitals across the country, reflect the national scope and strategic importance of the programme. Cancer diagnosis in Nigeria heavily depends on pathology—the analysis of tissue samples to determine the type and stage of cancer. Yet, a shortage of trained pathologists and outdated diagnostic tools have often hindered this crucial step. “This boot camp addresses a critical bottleneck in our cancer care system,” Dr. Ekpo noted.
Beyond diagnostic training, the MedServe initiative also focuses on broader capacity building. The centre, supported by NSIA’s funding, is sponsoring continuous training for medical physicists, radiotherapists, oncology nurses, and doctors. “Our aim is to build a comprehensive, well-trained oncology workforce. We’re not just training individuals—we’re building a system,” Dr. Ekpo said.
Despite growing challenges in retaining medical professionals due to brain drain, Dr. Ekpo noted that the centre has managed to retain its full team of oncologists and nurses. “We’re lucky to have a committed team. Initiatives like this training can also serve as motivation for others to stay, knowing they are being equipped with global best practices,” she said.
The programme also includes strong patient education components. MedServe uses social media to raise awareness on cancer symptoms, healthy lifestyles, and the importance of early detection. “Many people still present late because they don’t recognise the signs. Education is key to changing this narrative,” Dr. Ekpo explained. With rising cancer incidence in low- and middle-income countries, the Hematopathology Boot Camp may prove a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against the disease. “The burden is real,” Dr. Ekpo said, “but with the right tools, training, and partnerships, we can save lives.”