Healthcare professionals in Nigeria are advocating for systemic reforms to strengthen the nation’s fight against cancer, emphasizing the need for improved infrastructure, standardized protocols, and enhanced pharmacovigilance systems. The call to action emerged during the maiden edition of the 2026 Biennial Scientific Conference of the Oncology Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OPAN), held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The conference brought together oncology pharmacists, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to address the growing burden of cancer in the country, where incidence rates continue to rise amid limited resources and fragmented healthcare delivery.
Key Recommendations from the Conference
- Strengthened Collaboration: Experts emphasized the need for seamless coordination among oncologists, pharmacists, nurses, and primary care providers to ensure comprehensive cancer care. This includes integrating pharmacists into multidisciplinary oncology teams to optimize medication management and patient outcomes.
- Implementation of National Standards: The adoption of evidence-based clinical guidelines and standardized treatment protocols was highlighted as critical to reducing disparities in cancer care across regions. Stakeholders urged the federal government to enforce these standards nationwide.
- Expansion of Pharmacovigilance Systems: There was a consensus on the urgent need to bolster post-marketing surveillance of cancer drugs to monitor adverse effects, ensure drug efficacy, and prevent counterfeit medications from entering the supply chain.
- Investment in Infrastructure: Delegates called for increased funding to upgrade oncology facilities, including diagnostic laboratories, chemotherapy units, and palliative care centers, particularly in underserved areas.
- Public Awareness and Early Detection: Public health campaigns targeting risk factors such as tobacco use, poor diet, and infectious agents (e.g., HPV and hepatitis B) were identified as essential to reducing cancer incidence.
Challenges in Nigeria’s Cancer Care Landscape
The conference underscored several systemic barriers contributing to the cancer burden in Nigeria:
- Limited Access to Care: Many Nigerians lack access to oncology services due to geographic, financial, and infrastructural constraints, leading to late-stage diagnoses and poorer survival rates.
- Shortage of Specialized Personnel: There is a critical shortage of trained oncologists, oncology nurses, and pharmacists, exacerbating the strain on the healthcare system.
- Inadequate Funding: Cancer care remains underfunded, with many patients bearing the financial burden of treatment out-of-pocket, pushing families into poverty.
- Regulatory Gaps: Weak enforcement of drug safety regulations and inconsistent quality control in pharmaceutical supply chains pose significant risks to patient safety.
Global Context and Lessons for Nigeria
Speakers at the conference drew parallels with successful cancer control programs in other low- and middle-income countries, such as Rwanda and Kenya, where targeted investments in oncology infrastructure and workforce training have yielded measurable improvements in survival rates. They stressed that Nigeria’s approach must be tailored to its unique challenges while leveraging global best practices.
Call for Policy Action
The OPAN conference served as a platform for stakeholders to engage with policymakers, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health. Delegates presented a White Paper outlining actionable recommendations, including:
- The establishment of a National Cancer Control Program with dedicated funding.
- Mandatory inclusion of oncology pharmacists in cancer treatment teams.
- Integration of cancer screening programs into primary healthcare services.
- Strengthening of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to combat counterfeit drugs.
“Cancer is not just a medical issue; it is a socioeconomic crisis,” said a leading oncologist at the conference. “Without systemic reforms, we risk losing an entire generation to preventable deaths.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 Biennial Scientific Conference marks the beginning of a sustained advocacy effort by OPAN and its partners. The next steps include:
- Launching pilot programs in high-burden states to test integrated cancer care models.
- Advocating for the inclusion of cancer drugs in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
- Developing a national cancer registry to track incidence, treatment outcomes, and survival rates.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to reducing Nigeria’s cancer burden through evidence-based strategies and multisectoral collaboration.
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