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World Cancer Day: $154m IFC, NSIA lifeline boost for care
- First Lady, Lagos govt call for people-centred care, early detection
- Senator Tinubu urges Nigerians to unite voices, actions for cancer-free future
- Foundation seeks help for breast cancer patients
A member of the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) have agreed to invest about $154.1 million to expand cancer treatment and modern diagnostic services for communities across parts of Nigeria that currently lack access to quality healthcare.

The project, which will be carried out through NSIA’s healthcare subsidiary, NSIA Advanced Medical Services Limited (MedServe), includes a major contribution from the IFC of about N14.2 billion, or $24.5 million, in long-term naira financing.

This marks the first time the IFC is supporting a healthcare project in Nigeria, using local currency funding, which helps to reduce the risk that comes from changes in foreign exchange rates.

The collaboration was announced yesterday during the commemoration of this year’s World Cancer Day with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu calling for a stronger and more compassionate response to cancer cases.

She urged Nigerians to place people at the centre of care by listening to individual stories and recognising that every cancer journey is different.

In a message to mark this year’s World Cancer Day, observed on February 4, the First Lady noted that building an effective national response to cancer requires empathy, prevention, and sustained support systems for patients and families.

“By listening to individual stories and placing people at the centre of care, we can build a stronger, more compassionate response to cancer,” she said.

Mrs. Tinubu said such a response must be “rooted in prevention, early detection, access to quality treatment, and sustained support,” stressing that these pillars remain essential to reducing cancer-related deaths and improving outcomes across the country.

She also emphasised the need for collective action, saying progress depends on a shared commitment by government, health professionals, civil society, families and communities.

“Together, by uniting our voices and actions, we can move closer to a cancer-free future for all,” Mrs. Tinubu said.

Read Also: World Cancer Day: First Lady seeks better care

She noted that this year’s World Cancer Day with the theme: UnitedByUnique, was a reminder that while cancer affects individuals in unique ways, the hope for healing and survival is common to all.

“Every cancer journey is different, yet our hope is shared,” the First Lady said.

World Cancer Day is observed globally every February 4 to raise awareness about cancer, promote prevention, encourage early detection, and support efforts to improve treatment and care for patients.

Details of the IFC and NSIA partnership showed that the investment will lead to the establishment of more than a dozen modern diagnostic and treatment centres in different parts of the country.

The centres are expected to create about 800 direct jobs and provide specialised training for over 500 healthcare workers in many areas, such as cancer care and heart treatment.

The goal of the project is to improve access to reliable and affordable diagnostic and oncology services, especially for people in low-income and underserved communities who often struggle to get timely medical attention.

Under the arrangement, the IFC will provide naira-based financing to MedServe, with support from the International Development Association’s Private Sector Window Local Currency Facility. This structure allows the healthcare company to expand its facilities while avoiding the heavy burden that can come from borrowing in foreign currencies.

The expansion plan includes setting up diagnostic centres, radiotherapy-equipped cancer treatment facilities, and cardiac catheterisation laboratories in several states. These centres will be fitted with modern medical equipment, such as CT and MRI scanners, digital pathology laboratories, linear accelerators for cancer treatment, and advanced heart care machines.

MedServe said its services are designed to be sustainable and affordable, with pricing that reflects the income levels of local communities, making it easier for low-income patients to access life-saving care.

Speaking on the partnership, NSIA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, described the initiative as a major step towards building a stronger healthcare system in the country.

“This partnership with IFC represents a significant milestone in NSIA’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem through sustainable, locally anchored investment solutions,” Umar-Sadiq said.

“By deploying long-tenor naira financing, we are addressing critical infrastructure gaps while reducing foreign exchange risk and ensuring that quality diagnostic and cancer care services are accessible to underserved communities. “MedServe’s expansion underscores our belief that commercially viable healthcare investments can deliver strong development impact while supporting national health priorities,” he added.

The IFC Vice President for Africa, Ethiopis Tafara, said Nigeria’s growing challenge with non-communicable diseases presents an opportunity to bring in private sector funding in a way that also promotes fairness in access to healthcare.

“Nigeria’s focus on addressing the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases presents a significant opportunity to deploy innovative financing mechanisms capable of mobilizing private capital at scale, while ensuring equitable access to quality care,” Tafara said.

“This ambition is consistent with our broader vision for Africa, one where resilient health systems and inclusive growth reinforce each other to deliver long-term impact across the continent,” he added.

The IFC said the investment supports Nigeria’s drive for Universal Health Coverage and fits into the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework, as well as national programmes aimed at strengthening the healthcare value chain and attracting private investment into the health sector.

Beyond funding, the IFC will also provide advisory support to help MedServe improve its operations. This includes guidance on patient safety, measuring how well low-income groups are being served, and meeting international green building standards.

Construction of the new facilities is expected to continue through 2026, with the first centres projected to open in the second half of the year, bringing modern diagnostic and cancer care closer to communities that have long been underserved.

Also, the Lagos State government has said early detection remains the most effective and affordable weapon against cancer.

The state government said this yesterday while marking this year’s World Cancer Day with a statewide awareness walk and free cancer screening for public servants at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja.

The exercise, organised by the Ministry of Health through its Non-Communicable Diseases and Cancer Control programmes, underscored the state’s policy shift towards prevention-focused healthcare, early diagnosis and expanded access to cancer services, amid rising cancer cases across age groups.

The awareness walk, which passed through key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) within the state secretariat, was followed by free breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screening at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic.

The walk took off from the Ministry of Health and passed through the Public Service Office, the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Establishments and Training, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Leading the exercise were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide; the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos Health District VI, Dr. Olufemi Omololu; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo; and the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, alongside development partners and civil servants.

Ogunyemi said the World Cancer Day commemoration was designed to confront fear, stigma, and misinformation that continue to delay early presentation and treatment.

“Cancer is often wrongly seen as a death sentence, and that belief discourages people from seeking help early. With early detection through screening, many cancers can be treated successfully,” she said.

The special adviser urged residents to adopt routine screening as part of their personal health culture.

She stressed that prevention and early diagnosis remain far cheaper and more effective than treatment, noting that cancer treatment is often financially and emotionally draining for patients and families.

“Prevention is better than cure. It saves lives, reduces costs and protects families,” Ogunyemi said.

The special adviser assured the residents that the state government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was strengthening cancer care infrastructure, including plans for a comprehensive oncology centre in Alausa to provide prevention, treatment, post-care and caregiver support under one roof.

Lajide described World Cancer Day as a moment of sober reflection, noting that cancer continues to take a heavy toll on individuals and families.

“Today is not just about awareness; it is about action. Regular screening saves lives, and services are available beyond today across Lagos State health facilities, starting from our Primary Health Care Centres,” he said.

The permanent secretary announced that Governor Sanwo-Olu had approved free breast, cervical and prostate cancer screening for public servants at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic during the period, describing the gesture as part of the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and public health protection.

Onigbanjo praised the Ministry of Health for the initiative, noting that women and vulnerable groups often face economic and social barriers to early cancer detection.

“Health and poverty are closely linked. When women are healthy and informed, families and communities are stronger,” she said, urging residents to prioritise their health and take advantage of the free screening services.

Also, Omololu warned that prostate cancer, once largely associated with older men, is increasingly being diagnosed among younger age groups, stressing the need for proactive health behaviour.

“Men must overcome fear and stigma. Early screening allows timely intervention and better outcomes,” he said.

The Director of Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, said the rising prevalence of cancer makes early action more critical than ever, urging public servants to lead by example.

“As caregivers and service providers, we must also care for ourselves. Cancer screening saves lives, and prevention remains our strongest tool,” she said, adding that screening services are covered under the state health insurance scheme.

Delivering the closing remarks, the Programme Coordinator, Cancer Control Programme, Lagos State, Dr. Abosede Wellington, disclosed that cancer cases are rising in the state, with an increasing number occurring among younger populations.

She urged residents to seek medical attention promptly when they notice unusual changes in their bodies, encouraging women to practise self-breast examination and access free cervical cancer screening available in over 60 health facilities across the state.

Wellington also reiterated the importance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls to prevent cervical cancer and advised men from age 40 to undergo regular prostate cancer screening.

As part of the day’s commemoration, a free breast, cervical and prostate cancer screening will be provided for eligible civil servants at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic on February 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. daily, while a free mammogram screening will run from February 2 till February 13.

The commemoration ended with public servants accessing screening services, as the state renewed its call for collective action to reduce the cancer burden through sustained awareness, prevention and early detection.

Also, a foundation, Hassy’s Haven Foundation, called for an urgent action to save indigent women battling cancer.

The foundation noted that poverty, stigma and poor access to care was forcing many to suffer and die in silence.

It said cancer has become a daily reality destroying families and livelihoods, noting that thousands of Nigerian women are diagnosed late not because treatment is unavailable but because early detection, accurate information and affordable care remain beyond the reach of the most vulnerable.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Hussaina Mohammed Yakubu, described breast cancer as a medical challenge and a social justice issue that disproportionately affects poor women who lack support and access to treatment.

She stressed that many women were forced to choose between feeding their families and seeking cancer care.

According to her, no patient should be left to walk the difficult journey alone because of poverty.

Hussaina said the Hassy’s Haven Foundation, established in memory of her late twin sister, Hassana ‘Hassylove’ Yakubu, who battled cancer for eight years, has continued to provide emotional support, advocacy, sensitisation and financial assistance to indigent female cancer patients, as well as widows and orphans affected by the disease.

She explained that the pain of losing her sister inspired the vision to turn grief into purpose by standing with women who have no voice, access or safety net in their fight against cancer.

The foundation urged governments, private sector players, health institutions and development partners to strengthen cancer prevention strategies, invest in early screening, subsidise treatment and decentralise oncology services to rural and underserved communities.

It also urged the public to break the culture of silence and stigma around cancer, insisting that early detection and community support remain critical to improving survival outcomes and reducing preventable deaths.
February 5, 2026
World Cancer Day 2024: Tackling Nigeria’s cancer crisis – a call to action

As the World Cancer Day 2024 (WCD) unfolds its final chapter under the banner ‘Close the Care Gap,’ a poignant question echoes across Nigeria by survivors and experts: How can the country bridge the divide in cancer care? Chinyere Okoroafor writes.

Cancer, a relentless foe affecting people of all backgrounds, has deeply embedded itself in societies globally, transcending age, gender, and socioeconomic boundaries. This is even as Nigeria faces significant challenges in cancer care, marked by limited screening access, insufficient treatment facilities, and daunting financial burdens. Urgent transformative interventions in the healthcare system are essential.

As the world commemorates World Cancer Day, survivors and a cancer care expert in Nigeria are calling on leaders at all fronts to enhance access to cancer care on a broader scale.

Folake Adeyemi, a survivor, who had a mastectomy on her right breast and underwent chemotherapy treatment on the left side, shared her challenging experience accessing necessary care in 2013 when she began battling cancer.

She highlighted the scarcity of hospitals with available radiotherapy facilities in Minna state and the exorbitant cost of treatment. To cope, she had to resort to selling some of her prized properties to cover chemotherapy sessions and required medications. In urging improvement, Adeyemi suggested that the Federal Government could implement better systems to enhance affordable access to cancer treatments for patients.

Emelda Oti, a survivor of endometrial stomach sarcoma, said she was under the impression that she had a terrible stomach ulcer.

“I patronised herbal medicine, which proved ineffective, and I would advise anyone with cancer issues not to try it. I faced rejection by three hospitals before finding admission at LUTH. They delivered a grim prognosis, stating that I had no chance of surviving due to the advanced stage of the cancer. LUTH only offered palliative treatment, indicating mere management without curative measures before they went on strike and I have to go before and later went to India. There is an urgent need for improved cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities in hospitals, the government should rise to the responsibility if they cared,” Oti said.

About WCD

World Cancer Day falls on February 4 annually, it was first observed in 2000 on the same month and date during the World Summit against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris.

The 2024 theme, ‘Close the care gap: Everyone deserves access to cancer care,’ is part of a three-year-long campaign from 2022 to 2024.

The sub-theme for this year’s World Cancer Day, ‘2024: Together, we challenge those in power,’ marks the final year of the ‘Close the Care Gap’ campaign. It is calling for citizens to engage leaders in prioritizing and investing in cancer prevention and care and to do more to achieve a just and cancer-free world.

The World Health Organization (WHO) designates this day to raise awareness about cancer, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to enhance cancer care, detection, prevention, and treatment.

The Medical Dictionary explained that cancer is a diverse group of diseases affecting various organs or tissues. Cancer refers to the uncontrollable growth of cells, potentially spreading to different parts of the body.

In 2023, the sub-theme was ‘Uniting our Voices and Taking Action’.

In 2022, under the theme ‘Realising the Problem,’ the WCD website highlighted global inequities in cancer care on its website. The focus was on questioning the status quo, reducing stigma, and listening to the perspectives of individuals and communities affected by cancer to guide thoughts and actions.

Global cancer burden and Nigeria’s struggle

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer, a global public health priority, claims 1 in every 6 lives globally, affecting nearly every household. It estimates that worldwide there were 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths from cancer in 2022. The global cancer burden is projected to increase by about 77% by 2050.

Read Also: World Cancer Day: First Lady seeks better care

Yet, the burden falls disproportionately on developing countries like Nigeria, where over 60% of new annual cases and more than 70% of cancer deaths occur. Shockingly, low- and middle-income nations receive only 5% of the global spending on cancer care.

The Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), estimated that there were 124,815 new cases of cancer in Nigeria, and 78,899 deaths from cancer in 2020. With the five most common cancers in Nigeria including breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and liver.

In Nigeria, according to the National Cancer Control Plan (2018-2022), its impact is stark, claiming 72,000 lives annually, with 102,000 new cases reported. Breast, liver, and prostate cancers are primary contributors.

Highlighting the urgency for targeted interventions. A public opinion poll conducted and published by NOIPolls in June 2023 underscores a concerning lack of awareness, with 62% of Nigerian adults unaware of cancer causes, emphasizing the need for widespread education and awareness campaigns.

African disparities

The cancer situation in Africa is disheartening. In 2022, the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) noted that Africa faced 1,173,771 new cancer cases and 756,531 deaths and with projections indicating a grim future of one million deaths annually by 2030 according to Bakary Sylla and Christopher Wild in a 2011 publication titled “A million Africans a year dying from cancer by 2030: what can cancer research and control offer to the continent?. It was published on the National Library of Medicine website.

This is so because cancer survival rates in Africa are currently only 12%, compared to over 80% in High-Income Nations. Nigeria is the number one contributor to these dismal statistics.

Major cancers in Nigeria

Speaking with The Nation, Consultant Ocular Oncologist, Dr. Abia Nzelu, said among other types of cancer deaths in Nigeria, breast cancer takes the lead, accounting for 25% of new cases, followed by prostate (14%), cervical (10%), colorectal (6.4%), and liver cancer (5.3%).

These “Big Five” contribute to over 60% of new cases, illustrating the pressing need for targeted interventions.

She said: “There were about 127,763 new Nigerian cancer cases in 2022 (48,096 cases in men and 79,667 in women). The five most common cancers were breast (25%), prostate (14%), cervical (10%), colorectal (6.4%) and liver cancer (5.3%). In 2022, there were 79,542 cancer deaths in Nigeria, with more women (46,637 deaths) dying than men (32,905 deaths).”

Challenges and the Care Gap

For Dr Nzelu, cancer patients in Nigeria face heightened risks due to late-stage diagnoses and limited access to quality treatment.

Similarly, WHO Director for Noncommunicable Diseases, Dr Bente Mikkelsen in a recent statement ahead of WCD24 noted that cancer patients in developing countries have a much higher risk of dying due to late diagnosis and poor access to quality treatment.

Highlighting major inequalities and a lack of financial protection for cancer patients worldwide, WHO emphasized the urgent need for accessible, affordable, and quality services.

“WHO’s new global survey sheds light on major inequalities and lack of financial protection for cancer around the world, with populations, especially in lower income countries, unable to access the basics of cancer care,”

“Despite the progress that has been made in the early detection of cancers and the treatment and care of cancer patients–significant disparities in cancer treatment outcomes exist not only between high and low-income regions of the world, but also within countries. Where someone lives should not determine whether they live. Tools exist to enable governments to prioritize cancer care, and to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, quality services,” Dr Mikkelsen said.

Role of lifestyle and prevention

Dr Nzelu, who is also the Executive Secretary of a cancer charity organisation named Giving Tide International (GTI), explained that tobacco use, obesity, physical inactivity, and infections like hepatitis B and HPV contribute significantly to cancer cases.

“The major risk factors for cancer include tobacco use, obesity/overweight, physthe liver and Human PapillomaVirus (HPV), which affects several parts of the body including the cervix, throat, mouth, anus, scrotum among others. Tobacco use alone accounts for around one-third of deaths from cancers. Other risk factors include high body mass index, alcohol consumption, family history, some health conditions, environment, and infections by certain viruses, and more.

“Vaccination against preventable infections remains crucial, yet challenges persist in Nigeria, where cervical, breast and liver cancers continue to claim lives.

“Inactivity, unhealthy diets, and air pollution. Some infections can also predispose to cancer, including Hepatitis B and C, which affect lung cancer as the most common cancer worldwide in 2022, with 2.5 million new cases (12.4% of new cases). Breast cancer ranked second (2.3 million cases, 11.6%), followed by colorectal (1.9 million cases, 9.6%), prostate (1.5 million cases, 7.3%), and stomach cancers (970 000 cases, 4.9%).”

“Nevertheless, each of us can make changes to reduce our risk of developing cancer, since 50% of cancers can be prevented by lifestyle modifications such as: avoiding smoking, reducing the intake of processed foods and increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, and keeping up with recommended screenings and vaccinations,” Dr Nzelu said.

She noted that early detection is a game-changer in treating cancer, adding that it often leads to complete cure.

“While many cancers show no symptoms in their early stages, screening tests like mammography (for breast cancer) and PSA test (for prostate cancer) can identify cancer even before symptoms appear. This not only lessens the challenges of dealing with advanced cancers but also enhances the likelihood of successful treatment.

“Cancer screening programs, when well-organized and quality-assured, hold significant potential in improving outcomes. They can reduce mortality and even prevent certain cancers, such as cervical and colorectal cancer, which are major contributors to avoidable deaths in Nigeria,” she said.

The push for comprehensive cancer care

In pursuit of combating cancer, the primary focus of the Giving Tide initiative according to Dr Nzelu is the BIG WAR Against Cancer, operated by the National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP).

“Established by the mass medical mission, a non-governmental organization, NCPP has been at the forefront of community-based cancer prevention efforts in Nigeria since 2007.

“Recognizing the need for a more extensive impact, in 2017, NCPP acquired and deployed a fleet of Mobile Cancer Centres (MCC) to broaden the reach and effectiveness of their program.”

She said that the overarching objective of the initiative is to establish a Comprehensive Cancer Centre (CCC) in Nigeria. Unlike a conventional hospital with a radiotherapy machine, a CCC is an advanced, world-class institution that integrates cancer research, preventive measures, curative treatments, and palliative care under one roof.

She added that the significance of a CCC lies in its ability to enhance outcomes across various metrics, with a primary focus on improving cancer survival rates. These centers serve as guiding institutions, playing a pivotal role in the comprehensive implementation of national cancer control goals.

She said: “In comparison to other nations, Nigeria faces a considerable lag in this domain. While countries like India boast over 200 CCCs, largely funded by philanthropy, several African nations, including Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, and Sudan, have already established such centers. Nigeria’s lack of a CCC translates into a pressing need to bridge the widening gap in cancer care, especially when other nations are actively working toward “closing the care gap.”

Dr Nzelu noted that the absence of a Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Nigeria is not only a healthcare concern but also a financial one, adding, “Cancer, being one of the most expensive diseases to treat, prompts Nigerians to spend over one billion dollars annually on foreign treatments. Remarkably, this amount could suffice to establish twenty CCCs every year. The consequence of seeking treatment abroad often involves delays in diagnosis and treatment, leading to unfavorable outcomes.

“Additionally, unforeseen circumstances, such as the challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdown, may render medical tourism unfeasible, even for those who can afford it. Therefore, the urgent need for a CCC in Nigeria becomes not just a medical necessity but a strategic imperative to transform the landscape of cancer care in the country,” she said.

Call to Action

For Dr Nzelu, a select group of inspired, passionate, and dedicated heroes can be instrumental in liberating Nigerians from the pervasive ‘mass hysteria’ that has relegated the most populous black nation to the bottom across various developmental sectors, including health and cancer care.

According to her, the call is for heroes akin to Sir Dorab Tata and Mrs. Mazumdar Shaw, visionaries who founded India’s first and largest Cancer Centres, as well as the trailblazers behind the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, the inaugural Cancer Institute in the USA.

“To steer Nigerians away from the inertia of ‘mass hysteria,’ the imperative is to showcase a more exemplary path forward. Drawing parallels with the focus of World Cancer Day (WCD) 2024, “the objective is clear: to “challenge those in power” necessitates leading by example, with no alternative in sight.

“WCD 2024 stands as a pivotal opportunity for individuals and organizations to commit to supporting the innovative strategies formulated by Giving Tide. These strategies are specifically designed to confront and dismantle the deeply ingrained and resistant inequities in Nigeria, extending to disparities in cancer care.

“The emphasis lies on addressing the root causes of these inequities to ensure universal access to quality health services, regardless of location or circumstance. The rallying cry is clear – together, a collective commitment can pave the way for transformative change, creating a future where equitable healthcare is a reality for all,” she said.

The road ahead

While the challenges are substantial, Dr Nzelu added that a collective will to transform Nigeria’s cancer care landscape is the way forward.

“A collaborative effort between government bodies, NGOs, and healthcare providers also holds the key to creating a healthcare system that is not only responsive to the current challenges but also anticipates and meets the evolving needs of the population.

“As the nation confronts these obstacles head-on, the hope is to forge a path toward a future where cancer care is accessible, affordable, and effective for all Nigerians. The journey toward overcoming these challenges is a shared responsibility, one that demands unity, determination, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders in the fight against cancer,” she said.

February 27, 2024
World Cancer Day: First Lady advocates better care for patients, survivors

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called for better care and support for patients and survivors of cancer in society, noting that nobody should face the challenges of cancer alone.

First Lady Tinubu made the call in her message commemorating this year’s World Cancer Day, noting that the theme for the 2024 edition, “Closing the Care Gap”, has emphasized the need to provide better infrastructure for cancer care.

According to her personal message, made available to journalists at the State House, Abuja, on Sunday, the First Lady said: “This year’s World Cancer Day presents an important opportunity to raise awareness and elaborate further the message of prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer.

“The theme for this year, “Closing the Care Gap,” speaks to the fact that we are to deepen our efforts in putting in place necessary infrastructure to address these health challenges towards better care for cancer patients and survivors.

“No one should have to face the challenges of cancer alone. Let us continue to show empathy, care, love, and support for cancer patients and survivors, even as we create more awareness and advocacy for better service delivery.

“Also we are to celebrate those who are cancer free. God bless you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

February 4, 2024
Will Nigeria’s comatose health sector get better?

Monday, February 4, was World Cancer Day and the narratives concerning the country’s health sector were anything but inspiring. The day after, the headlines were dominated by cacophonous rant and hollow promises made by politicians of different shades and hue on the campaign train. Little or sparse commentary was reserved for health news on cancer awareness campaign and they were mostly buried in the pages with faint headings. For me, it was an irony of unimaginable tragedy that we were busy celebrating the action and inaction of the same characters that fleece our treasury and use part of the loot to procure medical cards for themselves and members of their families in the best medical facilities in Europe and America when we could have seized the opportunity to draw the government’s attention to the rot within. For, if the truth must be told, our health system requires urgent attention to save it from a terminal sickness and a seeming permanent amnesia. Some of these persons, I was told, have upgraded their medical cards to gold to add some panache and class to the treatment of their ailments just as they fly only First Class and lodge in only five star hotels across the globe. Even when they die, their remains stay in the best morgue until when freighted home for burial in golden caskets. Vanity!

Amid the chaos, figures relating to Nigeria’s losses to medical tourism are varied and equally depressing. Latest reports indicate that losses to medical junkets by Nigerians were more than the entire appropriation for the health sector by the Federal Government in 2018. For now, the authorities are yet to disprove the claim made by the National Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, Dr. Theophilus Ndubuaku that over N359.2bn was being spent annually to access medical care abroad while the entire budget for the sector in the 2018 budget was just N340.45 billion. Breaking it down to what that means for you and I, Ndubuaku said the health cost per citizen for that year was a meagre N1.888. Shocked? Well, I’m not. The sad tale did not start today. It was for that reason that, many years back, our hospitals were ingeniously tagged ‘mere consulting clinics’ until the latter days when they were downgraded to ‘death centres.’ The big question is: How bad would things get for the poor and vulnerable millions before the leadership would have the courage to declare an emergency in our health sector?

In a country with less than N2000 per head for annual medical treatment, Ndubuaku, in a report published by the Vanguard on November 20, 2018 at the launch of a state of the art surgery equipment by a private hospital in Abuja, explained that the nation records an average 9000 medical tours monthly with “India being the major beneficiary of 500 visits monthly while many of these travelers often have to go back monthly for checkups and sometimes for corrective surgery.” He didn’t mince words that these medical feats could have been carried out here if the required facilities were to be on the priority list of medical expenditures and procured for our medical centres. Well, that remains a dream yet to be realised in the long list of items stocked in the pipeline. Instead, a handful of private medical centres feast on the few who could afford the expensive bills while the government hospital groan under a debilitating regime of paucity of funds and management crises with threats of strikes and counter strikes from both medical and non-medical staff standing out as visible signs of the putrefying decay.

In 2017, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, lamented that about $1bn is lost annually to medical tourism in spite of a troubling report that over 2,300 under-five children and 145 women of child bearing age die daily in Nigeria due to the challenging condition of mother/infant access to quality healthcare. That is outside the mounting figures of those who die from terminal diseases and even common ailments daily either due to negligence, lack of drugs, poverty or ignorance. And, in December 2017, a former Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, made startling revelations about the comatose state of our health sector and the implications for national growth. He said, aside the N175bn lost yearly to medical tourism, the collateral damage could be gleaned from skill proficiency as “both trainers and trainees are not exposed to enough cases and, of course, the quality of care ultimately suffers”, adding that “as outbound medical tourism becomes the preference of patients, the local sector loses the confidence of the populace and the loss of morale among health personnel.’

As I write this, Chukwu grim imagery tugs at my heart. Unfortunately, those who should be setting the right examples are busy hugging the skies, seeking treatment in far flung countries even for simple ailment like toothache. Add that to the fact that locally trained medical personnel takes a lion’s share of Nigeria’s brain drain debacle and you would understand why it was the same tale of woes that highlighted events on the World Cancer Day. With the high number of deaths recorded from cancer in recent times and the concerted efforts being put into the fight against the ravaging disease in other clime, it is shocking that not many of our so-called state-of-the-art government hospitals can boast of having modern machines that could help in early detection and treatment. According to the founder of the Tai Aremu Cancer Awareness Campaign Organisation, Mr. Aremu Segun Kuti, the entire nation has fewer than five cancer treatment machines working in its government hospitals, thereby forcing many cancer patients to rely on the inadequate facilities at the National Hospital, Abuja. Naturally, both personnel and machines must have been stretched to the limit even as annual expenditure on chemotherapy per annum is said to be over N7m. How much is Nigeria’s minimum wage anyway? Kuti, whose wife died as a result of cancer, said the drugs are not within the reach of the patients who throng the hospital. For the patients, who longed for the day when top state and federal functionaries would be barred from travelling abroad for routine medical checkups, it has been a tale of sorrow, anguish and death as they queue to access the facilities at the national hospital. Sad, very sad.

In a country where those who regularly colonize the national treasury fritter millions of dollars on buying choice cars and living large, you wonder why no conscious effort has been made to procure these life-saving machines in, at least, one government hospital in all the states. According to reports, the machine and relevant components can be acquired with just one million dollars. But for blind greed and vacuous embrace of extravagant lifestyles with no positive impact on humanity, I do not see why six of the machines cannot be procured for one hospital each in the six geo-political zones to ease the needless burden on the Abuja facilities if government is really about the people. But what do I know? We were in this country, under this same democratic experiment, when those who vowed to patronise Nigerian hospitals like every other poor citizen, were seen sneaking into top notch medical facilities in Wiesbaden in Germany, London in the United Kingdom, Cairo in Egypt, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates or Riyadh in Saudi Arabia for routine and non-routine medical tourism. And here, patients hardly get bed spaces; drugs are always expensive if they are ever available; surgeries are carried out sometimes in candlelit theatres or at the mercy of the officials of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria; medical personnel can, if they wish, down tools even when attending to emergency cases; the Hippocratic Oath is abused and raped at will and self-preservation is the music everyone listens to while lives get wasted daily. That, in a nutshell, is the sickening report of a healthcare system with the highest number of policy somersault in modern history!

Will things ever get better?

February 16, 2019
World Cancer Day: 10 prevention tips

The recent alarm on rising global incidence of cancer by the World Health Organisation (WHO) should worry African countries, especially Nigeria, where the disease is most prevalent.

According to WHO, about 10,000 cancer deaths are recorded annually while 250,000 new cases are recorded yearly in Nigeria owing to the shortage of functional cancer control plans.

There are different kinds of cancers that affect different parts of the body and they have varying root causes. While not all cancers can be prevented, living a healthy lifestyle may help to avoid it.

You make choices every day that affect your health, follow our Ten Preventive Methods of Cancer to reduce your risk.

1. Stop using tobacco products

Smoking or chewing tobacco are leading causes of several different types of cancer including lung, colorectal, breast, throat, cervical, bladder, mouth and esophageal.

It’s never too late to quit if you have started smoking. If you don’t smoke, stay away from second-hand smoke.

2. Avoid potentially carcinogenic personal hygiene products

Many cosmetic products contain ingredients that could weaken your immune system, thus, increasing the risk of cancer. Some of these products includes – Talcum powder, antiperspirants and deodorants.

3. Conduct self-exams monthly

Check for skin cancer by examining the skin over your entire body. Look for changes in appearance, especially around moles. For a breast examination, use your fingers to feel your breast to look for lumps and for a testicular examination, look for changes in your testicles.

It is advisable to check for signs in the breast after a week of your menstrual period.

4. Maintain a healthy weight

Obesity is a common risk factor for cancer. Consult your doctor or use a Body Mass Index (BMI) chart to determine an appropriate weight for your height, age, and body type.

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• You can maintain your weight by eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising daily.

• If you’re struggling to lose weight, you might work with a licensed dietitian to create a diet plan that will work for you.

Additionally, you can hire a trainer to help you build a fitness plan that you enjoy.

5. Avoid exposure to known carcinogens in your environment
You can check lists of carcinogens maintained by The National Toxicology Program, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the Environmental Protection Agency. You can also check the American Cancer Society’s website.

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Drinking unsafe water or breathing polluted air can also put you at greater risk of developing cancer and other health problems. Check air and water conditions in your area and take health precautions (such as drinking bottled water or wearing a mask) if necessary.

6. Ask your doctor about the hepatitis B and HPV vaccines
Hepatitis B can contribute to liver cancer, and HPV may cause cervical or other genital cancers. Fortunately, you can get vaccinated against these illnesses.

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• The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for people who are at high risk for hepatitis B. This includes people who are sexually active with multiple partners, people who have STDs, men who have sex with men, health workers who may contract the illness, and intravenous drug users.

• The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 12, but it can be administered until age 26.

Read Also: World Cancer Day: Popular Nigerians who died of the disease

7. Minimize your cell phone use
It is possible that radio frequency fields from cell phones can increase your risk of brain cancer and other types of cancer.
You can minimize this potential risk by keeping your calls short to no more than 30 minutes per day and using your phone only when you really need it.

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You could also –

• Try to limit direct ear-to-phone contact to no more than 30 minutes per day. You can also limit contact between your phone and other parts of your body by keeping it in a bag instead of in your pocket.

• If you need to make a long phone call, minimize direct contact with your phone by turning on the speaker or using a headset.

8. Avoid sharing needles
STDs also spread through sharing needles, as the illness is present in bodily fluids. For example, you can get HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C by sharing needles. Don’t ever reuse needles or use someone else’s needle.

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9. Protect your skin from sun exposure
Spending a small amount of time in the sun, such as 15 minutes a day, can be healthy for you because it helps your body make vitamin D. However, too much sun can damage your skin and even lead to skin cancer. You can prevent skin cancer by always wearing a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, covering your body with clothing, and staying in the shade.

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It’s best to avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day, which is between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

10. Practice safe sex and avoid risky behaviours

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can weaken the immune system and contribute greatly to cancer. You can avoid STDs by always using a condom when you have sex. Since condoms can fail, discuss sexual health with your potential partners and get tested regularly.

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Sources: WikiHow

February 4, 2019
World Cancer Day: UCH to build N5b centre

The University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, has said it will need N5 billion to complete its ultra-modern cancer centre.

The N5 billion centre, which began last year during the hospital’s 60th anniversary, will require N2 billion for the structure and N3 billion to equip the specialist centre.

Addressing reporters yesterday during the World Cancer Day, UCH’s Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof Temitope Alonge regretted that about 70 per cent of cancer patients seek medical attention after the disease would have advanced.

The CMD noted that the decease is treatable, if it is diagnosed early.

He added that the teaching hospital has recorded many feats in prevention, early detection, treatment and providing end-of-life care for patients.

Regretting the dearth of equipment to meet the rising cases of cancer, Alonge urged public-spirited Nigerians to assist the hospital to have a N251 million brachytherapy machine for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

With the machine in place, the CMD said many breast cancer patients would not lose their breasts while men who undergo surgery for prostate cancer would still remain sexually active.

Alonge said the hospital had concluded arrangement for free breast cancer screening for UCH’s female workers and members of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Oyo State.

He said: “There are more cases of breast cancer now. We have at least five new cases every day. No fewer than 50 breast cancer patients come for treatment on a daily basis. To increase awareness that it is preventable and can be treated, all female workers of UCH and NAWOJ members will have a free screening for breast cancer.

“We shall also provide free treatment for anyone diagnosed with hepatitis to prevent liver cirrhosis, which may lead to liver cancer. Before April, all male workers of the UCH will have free screening for prostate cancer.”

February 6, 2018
Eating enough vegetables helps fight cancer – Expert

A food technologist, Mr. Ochuko Erinkainwe, says most cancer cases can be prevented by eating enough vegetables, noting that it remains the only natural food that helps to fight the disease.

Erinkainwe spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos against the backdrop of the World Food Day celebrated on Oct. 16.

He said that Nigeria’s vegetable spread had what it takes in the fight against cancer.

Erinkainwe, the Public Relations Officer of Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), said that emphasis on World Food Day should on eating right for healthy living as “food is healing’’.

“Researches have proved beyond doubt that people who eat more natural plant foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes are less likely to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

“Our daily meals count a lot when it comes to cancer risk factors, what we eat determines how much immunity we have in our body and also building resistant fluids inside the systems.

“If we want to build or design an anti-cancer diet, then we should look at adding much vegetables to our meals, we should eat plenty of vegetables every day.

“By this, we will be flooding our systems with protective substances, this will help a lot, most especially the cruciferous vegetables,’’ he told NAN.

Erinkainwe said: “Cruciferous vegetables may have the most powerful anti-cancer properties. This family of vegetables includes green vegetables, cabbage, onions, broccoli and some others like cauliflower.

“The mere meaning of cruciferous suggests its importance. It was taken from the Latin word ‘crucifer’ meaning ‘cross-bearer’ for their flowers, having four equally spaced petals in the shape of a cross.

“All vegetables contain protective micronutrients and phytochemicals, but cruciferous vegetables have a unique chemical composition.

“They have sulfur-containing compounds which are responsible for their pungent or bitter flavours.

“Vegetables when broken down in the system provide sulfur-containing compounds — Isothiocyanates (ITCs) – a compound with proven anti-cancer activities.

“This compound can work in different molecules. They can have combined additive effects, working synergistically to remove carcinogens and kill cancer cells. It also produces antioxidants or even immunologic effects.

“Many are not aware of the anti-oxidant powers deposited in vegetables and the most interesting thing is that many whose lives would have been saved neglected this part.’’

He said that vegetables provided all kind of healing to the system not just the cancer cure only, they also detoxified the body and help to keep it in shape and increases immunity.

“Vegetables also help in inhibiting cancer cell growth or induce cancer cell death; cruciferous vegetable juice contains ingredient that has proved to induce fluid that can fight breast cancer too.

“Some vegetables too, apart from the fact that they detoxify the blood, they also establish blood supply and increases the excretion of certain dietary toxins not needed by our systems.

“Regular intake of vegetables, most especially in-between cruciferous vegetables has a potent antioxidant against breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers.

“This has been reported, but cruciferous vegetables are far more potent.

“These observations in cell culture and animal studies have been confirmed by epidemiological studies drawing connections between cruciferous vegetable intake and cancer incidence,’’ Erinkainwe told NAN.

On the potency of cruciferous vegetables, he said that studies had shown that they were twice as powerful as other plant foods.

“In population studies, a 20 per cent increase in plant food intake generally corresponds to a 20 per cent decrease in cancer rates, but a 20 per cent increase in cruciferous vegetable intake corresponds to a 40 per cent decrease in cancer.

“Twenty-eight servings of vegetables per week decreased prostate cancer risk by 33 per cent, but just three servings of cruciferous vegetables per week decreased prostate cancer risk by 41 per cent.

“Also, one or more servings of cabbage per week reduce risk of pancreatic cancer by 38 per cent.

“However, to maximize the potency of our cruciferous vegetables, methods of preparation must be taken into consideration to aid digestion and absorption into the blood stream.’’

Erikainwe said that chopping, chewing, blending or juicing allows for production benefits, whereas some benefits may be lost with boiling or steaming.

He added that the maximum benefit was eating cruciferous vegetables raw.

“Cruciferous vegetables are not only the most powerful anti-cancer foods in existence; they are also the most nutrient-dense of all vegetables.

“The National Cancer Institute in America recommended 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day for cancer prevention; they have not yet established specific recommendations for cruciferous vegetables.

“Consuming a large variety of these rich cruciferous vegetables within an overall nutrient-dense diet can provide us with a profound level of protection against cancer,’’ he said.

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October 19, 2015
World Cancer Day

CANCER SURVIVORS, MR CHUKS IGBOKWE; MRS KHADIJAT BANUA; MISS GLORIA ORJI AND MRS FATIMA MAINA, AT WORLD CANCER DAY IN ABUJA

WORLD CANCER DAY IN LAGOS

February 4, 2015
Preventing cancer
As the world commemorates world cancer day, Blessing Olisa writes that the government should intensify more efforts in formulating policies aimed at preventing the disease.

Cancer is any of over 100 diseases caused by excessive and uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, called tumours, which invade and destroy other tissues. It develops in almost every part of the body and is life threatening, but certain cancers are more life threatening than others. Although statistics in Nigeria are not available, cancer is the second leading cause of death in US and Canada.

From documented cases, cancer rates vary based on gender, age, race, diet, lifestyle and geographic location. More men than women develop cancer and African Americans are more likely to develop it than other racial groups in North America. The frequencies of certain cancers also vary globally – breast cancer is more common in wealthy countries while cervical cancer is more common in poor countries.

Other types of cancer include: prostate cancer which is peculiar to men, cancers of the lung, bladder, skin, stomach and kidney. Uterine and ovarian cancers (of the uterus and ovaries respectively) are peculiar to women, and leukaemia, a cancer that contaminates the blood.

Cancers are common to people of all ages, but are more common to people over the age of 50. Cancer usually develops gradually over many years and is linked to a complex mix of environmental, nutritional, behavioural and hereditary factors. Although the causes of cancer are not completely known, scientists agree that certain lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of developing many types of cancer.

About 65 years ago, anyone diagnosed with cancer was considered incurable. Today in the US, about 75% of Americans diagnosed with cancer live longer than five years. Few years ago, the American Cancer Society attributed the decrease in cases of cancer to decline in smoking, earlier detection and improved treatment. The sooner cancer is discovered, the better a person’s chance for survival.

Other facts about cancer
- Chronic infections are estimated to cause approximately 16% of all cancers globally, with the figure rising to 23% in developing countries. Cancers caused by infections have a higher mortality rate.
- In developing countries, including Nigeria, some of the most common cancers such as liver, cervical and stomach cancers are associated with infections with Hepatitis B virus (HBV), human papilloma virus (HPV) and the bacterium, helicobater pylori (H.Pylori) respectively.
- Interventions such as immunization, treatment of infection and behaviour change can reduce exposure to specific risk factors.
- According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there were 12.7 million cases of cancer globally in 2008, of which 5.6 million occurred in economically developed countries.
- Over 85% of the 275,000 women who die every year from cervical cancer are from developing countries, including Nigeria.
- The World Health Organization estimates that 177,000 cancer deaths are related to occupational exposure to carcinogens – substances that can cause cancer, they include radiation, chemicals and some viruses – with one in every three deaths estimated to be caused by asbestos.
- More than 70% of the 160,000 newly diagnosed cases of childhood cancer worldwide each year lack access to effective treatment. The result is an unacceptably low survival rate of approximately 10% in some low (and middle) income countries compared to approximately 90% in some high income countries.
- Poor and vulnerable populations are unable to afford expensive cancer care, which must often be paid by patients’ out-of-pocket, pushing families further into poverty.
- A short list of medications can control cancer pain for almost 90% of all people with the pain including children, yet little or no access to adequate pain treatment is the norm in many countries, including Nigeria.
Preventive measures

Government
- Ensure and enforce 100 per cent tobacco ban and smoke-free environments.
- Set up adequate safety and protective standards for people who work in asbestos producing and other hazardous chemical companies in Nigeria.
- Provide potable water for citizens so that they are not exposed to the risks that accompany use of rain water that is channelled through asbestos roofing.
- Subsidize cancer care and treatment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), universal coverage is the hallmark of a government’s commitment to improve the wellbeing of all its citizens.
Citizens
- Imbibe healthy behaviours by eliminating tobacco use, reducing the intake of alcohol.
- Practice healthy eating habits. Cut off poor diet and eat foods rich in fruits and vegetables.
- Protect the skin from sun rays.
- Go for screening. For cervical cancer, studies have shown that even a single screening between the ages of 30 and 40 can reduce a woman’s lifetime risk of cervical cancer by one third.
- Drink plenty of water.
The human body is created to react by giving warning signs when things begin to go wrong. However, most people take those warning signs for granted and subscribe to different options, including self medication and traditional medicine (including roots and herbs), because they suppose that the discomfort will only be short-lived. Don’t wait till it becomes too late. Seek help by visiting a medical professional.

Global advocacy message:

The implementation of policies and programmes that support a life-course approach to prevention, and strengthen the capacity of individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles choices can bring about behavioural change, which can help prevent cancer.
February 4, 2014