Nigeria needs 250 radiotherapy machines to tackle cancer – Oncologist, Okoye

Renowned oncologist and Director of Clinical Trials, University of Nigeria, Nsuka, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, has said that to effectively tackle cancer in Nigeria, a total of 250 radiotherapy machines are required.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, she hailed the effort of the Federal Government for establishing six cancer centres across the six geo-political zones in the country, believing that the development was a significant progress in Nigeria’s concerted efforts aimed at eradicating cancer.

According to her, the Nigerian government is making significant efforts to put in more cancer centres, stressing that the government has signed a document to have state-of-the-art facilities in cancer management in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

She noted that with a population of about 250 million, the recommendation is that one radiotherapy machine is needed for one million people, meaning the country needs 250 radiotherapy machines to meet up and close the gap in the treatment of cancer.

The government had announced the establishment of six cancer centres at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC Jabi, Abuja for the North Central geo-political zone; FMC Ebute Metta, Lagos for the South West; the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Enugu, for the South East; FMC Gombe, for North East, Uthman Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital, UDUTH, Sokoto; and University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin.

The government had also earmarked N200 million for cancer treatment and care in the 2024 budget and the amount which is budgeted under the Cancer Health Fund, is to be accessed by citizens diagnosed with cancer.