Abuja, Nigeria — Health professionals and cancer advocates have called for urgent measures to enhance early detection, treatment, and access to care for children battling cancer in Nigeria.
Speaking at a symposium in Abuja ahead of International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD), observed annually on February 15, stakeholders underscored the pressing challenges in paediatric oncology and the need for collaborative efforts to improve survival rates.
The event, organized by the Akanimo Cancer Foundation in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, convened health experts, policymakers, and advocates to address critical gaps in childhood cancer care.
In his keynote address, Professor Biobele Brown, a distinguished paediatric oncologist from University College Hospital, Ibadan, highlighted the stark reality of childhood cancer in Nigeria. He revealed that only 8.1% of parents in a recent study were aware of childhood cancer, contributing to late diagnosis and poor outcomes.
“Survival rates for childhood cancer in Nigeria remain below 30%, a stark contrast to over 80% in developed nations,” Prof. Brown stated, attributing the disparity to delayed diagnosis, inadequate referral systems, and high treatment costs. He emphasized the need for awareness campaigns, improved healthcare infrastructure, and streamlined referral processes to enhance survival rates.
Commending the government for integrating childhood cancer into the 2023–2027 National Cancer Control Plan, Prof. Brown urged swift implementation of policies aimed at improving paediatric oncology care.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, represented by his special adviser, Dr. Kehinde Ololade, reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding cancer treatment facilities and incorporating paediatric oncology into national health insurance schemes. He acknowledged the financial strain on affected families and called for stronger public-private sector partnerships to ensure equitable access to treatment.
In a heartfelt contribution, Mrs. Idara Ekanem, founder and CEO of the Akanimo Cancer Foundation, who lost her 12-year-old son to cancer, reaffirmed the foundation’s dedication to advocacy and research funding. She announced a new initiative encouraging individuals and organizations to financially support childhood cancer treatment, alongside the foundation’s awareness campaign, “Run for Nemo”, aimed at raising funds for research and patient care.
Representing the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Dr. Usman Waziri stressed the need for Nigeria to modernize its paediatric oncology infrastructure, expand specialized cancer treatment units, and train more skilled health professionals to meet global standards.
In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Amos Magaji, assured stakeholders that the 2025 national budget would prioritize cancer care, with a specific focus on early detection programs and expanding treatment centers nationwide.
Other experts at the symposium called for sustained collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, and private organizations to prevent avoidable childhood cancer deaths due to lack of access to care.
The ICCD 2025 is themed: “Inspiring Action: Actionable Solutions to Strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure, Early Detection, and Access to Care for Childhood Cancer in Nigeria.”
By Taiwo Olatinwo |February 14, 2025.
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