The President and the Chief Executive Office of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Abidemi Omonisi, said 16 states in Nigeria do not have clinical oncologists.
Clinical oncologists are physicians specially trained to manage cancer patients.
Omonisi expressed concern over the absence of these key professionals in many states, despite the rising burden of cancer across the country.
He made the remark while speaking with Daily Trust in Abeokuta, Ogun State, shortly after the launch of Oncoseek, a blood-based test designed for the early detection of nine high-mortality cancers.
The event was part of a two-day workshop on the development of National Nuclear Medicine Guidelines and Policy, organised by the National Technical Working Group.
Omonisi, an anatomic pathologist with a focus on cancer epidemiology and molecular pathology, acknowledged that while the federal government has made significant strides in cancer prevention and control, major challenges remain at the state and local government levels.
“About 16 states have no clinical oncologists-doctors specially trained to manage cancer patients. Managing cancer is not like treating malaria, where one doctor can handle the case. Cancer care requires oncology nurses, pharmacists, and a multidisciplinary, multisectoral approach.
“The key component of the cancer management team is the clinical oncologist. In these 16 states, their absence means cancer care is suboptimal,” he said.
When asked to name the affected states, Omonisi declined but reaffirmed his concerns about the poor state of cancer care across various states and local governments.
“Some states don’t have a designated officer in charge of cancer. Ask them how many cancer patients they have, and they will tell you there is no data. A state without records clearly shows there is no meaningful intervention.
“Some states even lack basic diagnostic tools like mammograms, forcing citizens to travel to other states for essential cancer screening and care,” he added.
During the launch of Oncoseek, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako, acknowledged the growing cancer burden in Nigeria.
He stressed that addressing it requires deploying all available solutions and management strategies.
Salako also noted that the federal government has commenced various programmes focused on cancer prevention, treatment, and control, including the ongoing construction of six cancer centres of excellence across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
(Daily Trust)
