Kehinde Fajobi
The Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) has raised concerns over the severe impact of health worker migration, popularly known as Japa, on cancer treatment in the country.
Speaking at a briefing to mark World Cancer Day, NCS President, Prof. Abidemi Emmanuel Omonisi, said the exodus of radiation and clinical oncologists, pathologists, oncology nurses, and other specialists is worsening cancer care.
He attributed the brain drain to poor remuneration, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, a low standard of living, and underfunding of the healthcare sector.
Citing figures from the Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists of Nigeria (ARCON), Omonisi revealed that the ideal ratio of a radiation and clinical oncologist to cancer patients should be 1:250–500, but in Nigeria, it stands at 1:1,800.
“This accounted for the increasing long queues observed in all our oncology clinics in the country,” he said.
“I wish to specially appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the push and pull factors responsible for the exodus of skilled health workers from the country.”
The NCS president also highlighted the rising cases of neglected cancers, such as colorectal, childhood, ovarian, and hematological cancers, urging the Federal Ministry of Health to expand its focus beyond prostate, breast, and cervical cancers.
He further called on the National Assembly to allocate ₦25 billion for the transition of the National Cancer Health Fund to a Catastrophic Health Insurance Fund.
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“Furthermore, NCS implores the National Assembly and the Federal Government to appropriate additional funds to close the ₦97.2 billion funding gap in the National Oncology Initiative,” he added.
Omonisi announced that NCS chapters have been established in all states and the FCT. He also unveiled the Youth Coalition Against Cancer (YOCAC), marking the first time the society has formally launched a youth arm.
Also speaking at the event, the Programme Manager of Girl Effect Nigeria, Chinelo Okonkwo, stressed the need to prioritise cervical cancer prevention.
She said, “Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant public health issue. Increasing the vaccination rate is crucial to preventing cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers.”