Stakeholders in the health sector have intensified calls for improved access to healthcare services in rural communities, highlighting disparities in cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival rates across Nigeria.
They made the call on Sunday at a virtual meeting marking the sixth edition of the “Dear Doctor” series, an annual gathering of health experts, advocates and partners aimed at boosting childhood cancer awareness nationwide.
The event was organised by the Okapi Children Cancer Foundation to provide a platform for in-depth discussions on childhood cancer, its burden, gaps in care delivery and strategies to improve outcomes.
Dr John Balogun, a Paediatric Oncologist at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, said survival exceeds 80 per cent in high-income countries, but fewer than two in 10 patients survive in low-income settings.
“Where a child is born should not determine whether that child survives cancer. It should not be a death sentence,” he said, emphasising the urgent need for equitable healthcare access.
Balogun identified delays in seeking, reaching and receiving care as critical barriers, citing cultural beliefs, poor awareness, long travel distances and financial constraints as key factors affecting patients.
He said even when families identify appropriate facilities, transportation costs and out-of-pocket payments often prevent timely access to treatment, especially among rural dwellers facing economic and geographic challenges.
Balogun also noted a severe shortage of specialists, revealing that Nigeria has only about eight trained paediatric oncologists serving a population of over 200 million people, limiting access to quality cancer care services.
“No matter how effective chemotherapy is, if a child cannot get to the hospital, they cannot benefit from it. Then, even when they arrive, there is a shortage of specialists,” he said.
Balogun added that up to 80 per cent of rural families first consult traditional or religious healers, underscoring the need to engage them as partners in early detection and referral systems.
“We must meet patients where they first seek help and transform traditional and religious healers into first responders rather than competitors,” he said, calling for inclusive healthcare approaches.
The paediatric oncologist urged alignment with the World Health Organisation’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, which targets 60 per cent survival by 2030, warning that progress would stall if rural populations remain underserved.
He advocated adopting a hub-and-spoke model linking primary healthcare centres and rural hospitals with tertiary facilities to improve early detection, referral systems and treatment outcomes.
Balogun also called for integrating childhood cancer care into the National Health Insurance Authority to reduce catastrophic spending, noting that many families spend more than 40 per cent of their income on treatment.
He recommended transport and nutrition support for patients, establishment of clear referral pathways and real-time tracking systems to prevent loss of patients within the healthcare system.
Balogun emphasised community engagement, destigmatisation of childhood cancer and the use of community navigators to support patients through care, urging stakeholders to ensure equitable and accessible treatment nationwide.
The specialist further urged stakeholders to adopt a unified approach to ensure the “right treatment for the right child at the right time, regardless of location,” to improve survival outcomes.
“If we do nothing, we risk losing all affected children. But if we act collectively, we can save lives, change outcomes and ensure no child dies due to inability to pay,” he said.
Prof Janet Poole, a Paediatric Oncologist at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, South Africa, said childhood cancers affect individuals from infancy to 19 years, explaining key issues during her presentation titled “Childhood Cancer Simplified.”
She said leukaemia, lymphomas, brain tumours and retinoblastoma are common childhood cancers, noting they can be treated and cured if detected early and appropriate medical interventions are accessed promptly.
Poole explained that cancer symptoms may resemble common illnesses, urging parents to seek immediate medical attention for persistent fever, unexplained lumps, swelling, fatigue or weight loss in children.
“If your child is being treated for a condition and does not improve, you should go back to the doctor for further investigation,” she said.
Dr Margaret Olokpo, a Clinical Psychologist and member of the British Psychological Society and the Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy in Nigeria, stressed the importance of emotional support during cancer treatment and advised parents against overexertion.
Asmau Smaila, Associate Director, Sustainable and Government Relations at IHS Nigeria Ltd, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address systemic challenges and strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.
Dr Kemi Adekanye, founder of Okapi Children Cancer Foundation, said the event focused on public education, early diagnosis, advocacy and support for families affected by childhood cancer.
“We also discussed the importance of access to care and inequities surrounding care in rural communities,” she added, stressing the need for inclusive healthcare interventions and sustained policy attention.
She said more than 130 participants attended, including healthcare professionals, cancer survivors, patient advocates, media representatives and government officials, reflecting broad commitment to addressing childhood cancer challenges in Nigeria.
(NAN)
