Cancer has emerged as one of the leading health challenges in Enugu State, and urgent action is needed to address the growing crisis. Dr. Nwamaka Lasebikan, Director of Research and Innovation at the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), emphasized the critical need for strategic investments in cancer care during the 2025 World Cancer Day observance. Speaking passionately, Lasebikan, who is also the former Director of the Oncology Center at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), voiced her concerns over the increasing incidence of cancer in Enugu, calling it a devastating burden on families and the state.
Enugu, a key commercial and academic hub in Southeast Nigeria, has seen a sharp rise in cancer cases, particularly in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers. Citing data from the Enugu Cancer Registry, Lasebikan revealed that over 3,000 cancer cases have been recorded in the past five years alone, warning that these figures likely underestimate the true extent of the problem due to underreporting and lack of accessible diagnostic services.
“In a state with a population exceeding four million, cancer is leaving a trail of destruction, with thousands of families affected by cancer-related deaths each year,” Lasebikan stated. The impact of this rising health crisis is compounded by the challenges facing existing treatment facilities. Despite the functional cancer center at UNTH, significant barriers to effective treatment remain. These include a severe shortage of skilled oncology specialists, the lack of advanced radiotherapy and diagnostic equipment at Parklane Hospital, and the high cost of treatment, which remains inaccessible to many due to limited health insurance coverage.
Lasebikan urged the Enugu State government to prioritize cancer care as a cornerstone of its health reform agenda, emphasizing that addressing this challenge is not only a health imperative but also an opportunity to stimulate economic growth. She called for a collaborative effort from the government, private sector, and diaspora investors to invest in workforce development, infrastructure, and policy reforms that will create a robust cancer care ecosystem in the state.
The statistics surrounding oncology in Nigeria are alarming. While global standards recommend one oncologist per 250 cancer patients, Nigeria has fewer than 80 oncologists for an estimated 120,000 cancer patients. In Enugu, the gap is even more pronounced, with just four specialist radiation and clinical oncologists for a growing population. This shortage has led many patients to travel long distances, sometimes as far as Lagos, Abuja, or abroad, to seek proper treatment, resulting in increased financial strain and health inequities for countless families.
Lasebikan stressed that integrating cancer care into Enugu’s broader health system transformation is essential not only for saving lives but also for positioning the state as a leader in specialized healthcare services within the Southeast region. By committing to the development of comprehensive cancer care infrastructure, Enugu could improve survival rates, reduce health disparities, and build a more resilient local economy.
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