The Association Of Radiation Oncologists Of Nigeria (ARCON) has appealed to the Federal Government to establish more cancer treatment centres across the country in order to curb the rising prevalence of the disease.
Dr. Nwamaka Lasebikan, President of ARCON, made the appeal during the opening ceremony of the association’s 8th Annual Scientific Conference and General Meeting held in Port Harcourt.
The five-day conference, themed “Innovating Through Collaboration: Cultivating A Resilient Nigerian Oncology Ecosystem”, brought together medical experts, cancer survivors, and advocates to discuss solutions for improving cancer care in Nigeria.
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Dr. Lasebikan emphasized that the establishment of additional treatment centres would enhance access to care and help reduce the growing number of cancer cases and related deaths across the country.
“We must rethink cancer in Nigeria. Our goal is to build a resilient, inclusive, and people-focused oncology ecosystem,” she stated.
She further called for increased government funding to strengthen the Cancer Health Fund (CHF), which currently supports breast, cervical, and prostate cancer patients. According to her, the programme lacks consistency and adequate coverage to meet patients’ needs.
“Government must re-engineer the funding model and invest in hospitals where cancer is treated, so patients can access care without financial distress. Cancer treatment is expensive globally, and Nigeria must do more to support patients,” she stressed.
The ARCON president also urged the integration of science, policy, economics, and enterprise to achieve sustainable outcomes in cancer management. She added that survivors and advocates must be given a stronger voice, particularly in areas of post-treatment care and mental health support.
She appealed to the government to create regulatory frameworks and increase funding to ensure more patients benefit from subsidised treatment. On prevention, Dr. Lasebikan advised Nigerians to avoid smoking, limit alcohol intake, embrace physical activity, and adopt healthier diets to lower the risk of cancer.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Olusegun Biyi-Olutunde, commended ongoing government efforts but described them as inadequate. He highlighted the urgent need for investment in treatment infrastructure, particularly radiotherapy centres.
“We see patients’ trauma firsthand. There is no reason why every state should not have a radiotherapy centre,” he said.
Dr. Biyi-Olutunde stressed that such projects are capital-intensive but necessary, noting that the value of citizens’ lives should compel government investment in cancer infrastructure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit also featured plenary sessions on Artificial Intelligence in Oncology, Oncology as Enterprise, and the Intersection of Climate and Cancer.
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