Being a Cancer patient in Nigeria is often described as a journey through a never-ending ordeal, some would say. For thousands of Nigerians suffering from this vicious disease, it is not just a battle for survival but also a daily struggle against an inefficient healthcare system, exorbitant expenses, societal stigma, and indifference. The reality of living with the disease for the average and underprivileged Nigerians is characterized by affliction, despair, and, for many, an early demise. In Nigeria, the burden of the disease is particularly severe, claiming the lives of many yearly.
An estimated 120,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, and the disease claims the lives of over 70,000 people. Data from a 2022 study by the Global Cancer Observatory shows that 79,542 Nigerians die from the disease (32,905 men and 46,637 women). The uterus, breast, and prostate are the top three. These figures are more than just numbers; they represent dads, mothers, children, and breadwinners whose lives are cut short—often due to their inability to receive basic care for the disease.
Inadequate tools, specialists leave patients stranded.
In Nigeria, receiving a cancer diagnosis is practically seen the same as receiving a death sentence. One of the biggest obstacles fueling this increasing fear is access to treatment. Nigeria, home to more than 220 million people, has very few working radiation devices. The number of instances of the disease in the nation has increased to 127,763, and between 50% and 60% of these individuals will need radiation therapy at least once while undergoing treatment. Compared to high-income nations, where there is one radiation unit per 250,000 people, Nigeria has fewer than one unit per 19 million people.
Based on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s requirement of one LINAC equipment for every 400 cancer patients. Nigeria has a shortage of about 280 LINAC megavoltage machines. Cancer patients frequently travel hundreds of kilometers between distant villages and major cities, only to discover that the machines are either overbooked or faulty, putting them in a never-ending waiting queue. Receiving a diagnosis in Nigeria has also proved to be challenging. The country is severely lacking in diagnostic facilities and pathologists. Patients frequently lose valuable time waiting weeks or even months for biopsy results.
Out-of-pocket cost burdens as NHIS leaves out cancer care.
According to Project Pink Blue, more than 70% of Nigeria’s cancer patients show up in advanced stages (III & IV), with few having access to adequate treatment facilities. Late detection has always been one of the major causes of Nigeria’s abnormally high cancer death rate when compared to global standards. Even for individuals who are lucky enough to receive therapy, the standard of care is frequently inadequate. This is due to a severe dearth of Oncology nurses and a paucity of qualified oncologists in many institutions.
Moreover, Nigeria has a high out-of-pocket healthcare cost, despite the government’s large investments to expand the number of the disease treatment facilities and upgrade those that already exist throughout the nation. According to a TC Health report, Nigerian patients find it difficult to pay for the disease treatments given the fact that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) does not cover cancer care. It added that the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme, which was introduced at about the same time as Nigeria’s NHIS, covers breast and cervical cancer treatments.
Related Article: Bridging the gaps in Nigeria’s cancer care
While other nations are offering access to the most advanced Cancer Treatment and tailored medication through public insurance programs, basic chemotherapy remains a challenge for Nigerian patients. The government’s response to this situation has been insufficient and tardy. The result is a harsh paradox: although the disease is now treatable in many regions globally due to medical advancements, it is still considered a death sentence in Nigeria. With limited chance of survival, cancer patients in Nigeria navigate a labyrinth of institutional failures, endure physical agony, face financial hardship, and social exclusion. People lose their humanity and dignity on this journey. It is worse than hell for many.