Cancer Care: Surgeons Lament Dearth Of Experts, Facilities

International College of Surgeons-Nigeria Section (ICS-NC) has expressed concern over Nigeria’s inequitable distribution of cancer care experts and facilities.

The college also called for significant government support to ameliorate specialised cancer care, which is capital-intensive globally, saying this would give the masses access to quality care.

The surgeons said early detection and treatment of the various known cancers is crucial in achieving cure. However, therapy also exists to improve the length and quality of life of late presenters, in whom cure is no longer possible.

“With the complete absence of high-end specialised services in Akwa Ibom and many other states across the federation, lamenting that even the regular screening programs for the few cancers that have reliable early detection tests have not been well implemented,”  the college said.

These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the college’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Scientific Conference, with the theme, “Current Trends and Challenges to Surgical Oncology Practice,” and Sub-themes; “Insecurity and Delivery of Surgical Services and Minimal Access Surgery,”  held in Uyo, Akwa -Ibom State.

The communique jointly signed by the ICS-NS national president, Professor Akanimo Essiet, and the assistant secretary, Dr. Christian Madubueze, stressed the need for adequate funding and equitable distribution of cancer care and other high-end medical services in the country, emphasising the need for both the federal and state governments to adequately fund public facilities, to cater to the less privileged.

The surgeons also lamented that the ‘Japa’ phenomenon, caused by poor remuneration, loss of job satisfaction, and insecurity, has made it difficult for millions of Nigerians to see a doctor and has drastically reduced the healthcare workforce, making the doctor-to-patient ratio in Nigeria, 1:9,083 instead of 1:600 as recommended by the WHO.

They maintained that incurable treatments and procedures under the National Health Insurance Scheme should be widened to capture some critical, specialised services.

They also called for affordability and ease of access to capital for investors in the health sector to facilitate the reversal of medical tourism and, in so doing, enable proper harnessing of a veritable and significant source of income for the country.

They called on states and local governments to attract and keep healthcare workers by providing good healthcare facilities, roads, improved power supply, access to potable water, good schools, and telecommunications.

On the security situation in the country, the ICS-NS called on the government to decisively deal with insecurity which is negatively impacting on the health of Nigerians.

Essiet said the conference would enable the college to chart a clear path for meaningful practice of the Surgical and allied arts, especially of the humanitarian genre, by Fellows of the College.

The conference also featured the 15th Eruchalu Memorial Lecture, a biennial event of the College, presented by Professor Rowland Ndoma-Egba. Renowned panellists discussed the nation‘s current state and its impact on the citizens‘ health.