Part 6 of a 7 Part Series: Barriers to Accessing Cancer Care in Nigeria

The delivery of cancer care in Nigeria is impeded firstly by a lack of infrastructure, with a low number of hospital beds and skilled staff across the care pathway—an issue which has been compounded by the migration of skilled staff out of sub-Saharan Africa and to more developed countries. A lack of specialized equipment, such as radiotherapy machines, and the prohibitive costs of delivering cancer care are significant challenges as well. According to Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, challenges at the governmental level play a role as well, because in addition to a lack of skilled staff, there is a lack of developed cancer centers and a lack of funding, all of which prevent patients from accessing high-quality care. This great need inspired Dr. Elebute-Odunsi to establish the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, which offers all the treatments patients need across the care continuum in one place. Guest: Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPath Founder/CEO Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital Founder/Chair Board of Trustees Women In Healthcare Network Lagos, Nigeria Quote:  "We're a one-stop comprehensive cancer center...When patients walk in the door, they can [receive] all the treatments they require [here] from beginning to end." Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog. Additional Resources:  The Study of High-Cost Oncology Patients to Improve Care & Curb Costs – Oncology Issues Mobile App Eases Patient Cost-of-Care Conversations [PODCAST] Ep 03: Why Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Matter Providing Comprehensive Financial Advocacy Services in Rural America Navigation: A Critical Component in a Comprehensive Approach to Dismantling Health Inequities – Oncology Issues