By News Desk
Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists of Nigeria (ARCON) has revealed that Nigeria currently has less than 100 oncologists to cater to the medical needs of the country’s teeming population.
The President of the Association, Dr Nwamaka Lasebikan disclosed the figures in an interview with the punch on Sunday
Lasebikan said, “We have less than 100 oncologists in Nigeria and the reason I said so is that people leave every day. So, let’s just leave the figure at less than 100.
“Meanwhile, Nigeria needs a minimum of 2,500 to 3,000 clinical oncologists in the country.”
Lasebikan said Nigeria has only 13 radiotherapy machines in the country, while the President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Dr Adamu Umar said the machines owned by the government are frequently non-functional.
“In terms of the facilities, we have 13 centres with radiotherapy machines, with a total of 12 linear accelerators in the country. So, some of these centres only have Brachytherapy machines,” she said.
Umar said the dearth of oncologists was a major gap that needed to be closed.
Advocating for more cancer specialists in the country, he said “There is a need for manpower training.
He, however, hinted that the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehaire will inaugurate six radiotherapy machines in six tertiary health institutions.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Nigerian Cancer Society, Ekiti State Branch, Dr Abidemi Omonisi, has called on Nigerians to abstain from unhealthy lifestyles and practices that may make them susceptible to developing cancer.
According to the World Health Organisation International Agency for Research on Cancer, it is estimated that Nigeria recorded about 124,000 cancer cases and 72,000 deaths in 2021.
