Stakeholders in cancer care have called on governments at all levels, as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), to intensify efforts in raising awareness and improving access to treatment for cancer patients across Nigeria.
The appeal was made on Friday in Abuja during a press conference marking the end of a two-day training programme for cancer survivors, held under the initiative titled “Count Me In: Pain and Palliative Project.”
The training, organised by Project PINK BLUE (PPB)—a leading cancer care advocacy NGO in Nigeria—was conducted in collaboration with the Dicey Scroggins Patient Advocacy Fellowship.
The fellowship is a core component of the Count Me In project.
The event also received support from the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS), further enhancing its reach and impact on cancer advocacy and patient empowerment.
Speaking at the event, Miss Faridah Banwo, Health Communication Associate at PPB, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to empowering cancer survivors to serve as agents of change.
“Empowering survivors with the right knowledge and skills enables them to become impactful voices in transforming the cancer care experience.
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“Patients with lived experiences are better positioned to drive awareness, encourage treatment uptake, and educate communities on prevention and early detection,” Banwo said.
Mr Runcie Chidebe, Executive Director of PPB, lamented that while progress had been made in promoting HPV vaccination in Nigeria, significant gaps remained in access to treatment for women already diagnosed with cervical cancer.
“These women often feel abandoned in policy discussions, with few platforms focusing on their treatment needs, survival, and quality of life.
“The WHO’s global strategy for cervical cancer elimination (90:70:90 target) mandates that countries like Nigeria ensure 90 percent of diagnosed women receive timely and effective treatment, yet we are falling short,” he said.
Chidebe called on the government to increase access to brachytherapy and other forms of cervical cancer treatment, stressing that over 50 percent of women living with cancer experience severe pain, yet pain relief and palliative care remain largely inaccessible.
Professor Tonia Onyeka, President of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Nigeria (HPCAN), emphasised the urgent need to integrate palliative care into the country’s cancer care system.
“Every person living with a life-limiting illness such as cancer deserves quality palliative care.
“Neglecting this population only worsens their condition. Government support is critical to complement the efforts of NGOs,” she said.
Adding a human perspective to the statistics, Hajia Hadiza Binji-Haliru, a cervical cancer survivor, revealed that in 2022 alone, 13,676 Nigerian women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, of whom 7,093 (51 percent) died.
“Additionally, 2,906 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and 1,824 (62 percent) lost their lives,” she said.
She urged the government to tackle the high mortality rates by making cancer treatment more accessible and affordable.
Fellow survivors, Miss Ivey Umeh and Mercy Sopuruchi, echoed this call, advocating for equitable cancer care, stronger awareness campaigns, and policies that prioritise pain management, palliative care, and comprehensive treatment.
“We must empower survivors to be advocates, not just for themselves but for entire communities,” they said.