Experts Lament Dearth Of Oncologists, As Cancer Cases Soar

Medical professionals have lamented dearth of oncologists in Nigeria, even as studies have showed that in Nigeria, an estimated 72,000 cancer deaths occur annually, and 102,000 new cases are diagnosed from its population of over 200 million people.

The experts therefore called on the federal government to stem brain drain in the health sector, as the country has less than 100 oncologists, to attend to its populace.

Consultant radiation and clinical oncologist, Mecure Cancer Centre, Dr. Adeoluwa Adeniji, at the Mecure Panel Discussion, to commemorate Breast Cancer Month, over the weekend, in Lagos, averred that cancer cases are soaring, while regretting that less than 100 oncologists are on ground to attend to cancer patients.

“Most of the oncologists are situated in Lagos and Abuja. For instance, there is only one oncologist in Port Harcourt, Nigeria,” Adeniji disclosed.

The oncologist called on the Nigerian government to create an enabling environment for doctors to stay, as they are being tempted with a better living condition abroad. “It is time for government to channel more resources to the health sector. Salary must be attractive and government must ensure that there are equipment for doctors to work with, because the dream of every oncologist is to see that cancer patient survive and lead a normal life,” he added.

As efforts to stem cancer cases in Nigeria, the clinical oncologist, who is also the chief medical director, Mecure Cancer Centre, revealed that Mecure has set up Cancer Centre, as efforts to improve treatment of the condition in Nigeria and Africa at large. “To that end, the Centre has the only Pet CT Scan in West Africa. With the Pet CT Scan, we are able to detect if a tumor is cancerous or not. We can also detect when a patient is completely cured of cancer,” he disclosed.

To ensure early diagnosis of cancer, which is key to survival, the medical director, Pinecrest Specialist Hospital, Dr. Omadeli Boyo has called on Nigerians to focus more on regular checkups. “Now that we know that there are less than 100 oncologists in Nigeria, Nigerians should focus on regular screening and prompt treatment, when diagnosed with cancer. I will also urge the few oncologists in Nigeria, to transfer knowledge by training doctors, so as to alleviate the burden of cancer treatment.”

Meanwhile, cancer survivor, Mrs Tinu Lawal, who shared her experience with LEADERSHIP, however affirmed that she was able to scale through simply because she was diagnosed on time, and she started treatment promptly, while urging Nigerian women to always check their breast every month.