Dr. Habeeb Yakub, Chief Clinical Coordinator at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Cancer Centre, has called for a multi-dimensional approach to address Nigeria’s rising cancer burden. The oncologist highlighted several challenges within the country’s cancer care system, including insufficient funding, limited access to quality care, and a concerning brain drain in the medical field.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise on World Cancer Day 2025, Dr. Yakub emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive health insurance and heightened awareness to combat cancer effectively. According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, with over 10 million deaths reported in 2020. In Nigeria, over 124,000 new cancer cases are recorded annually.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Yakub believes that Nigeria can improve cancer care outcomes with collaborative efforts. He identified cultural misinformation and financial barriers as major impediments to effective treatment.
“There is widespread cultural misinformation, and a significant financial burden,” Yakub stated. “We need robust medical insurance. If insurance is accessible and people can receive care without out-of-pocket expenses, many more will seek treatment.”
The oncologist also expressed concern over the high rate of Nigerian doctors emigrating. “More than 50% of medical graduates are leaving the country. The ‘Japa syndrome’ is a serious issue,” he explained. Additionally, the lack of proper facilities and equipment in many centers exacerbates the situation.
“Most cancer treatment centers lack essential equipment like linear accelerators and brachytherapy machines,” Yakub noted.
He praised public-private partnerships, such as the collaboration between NSIA and Siemens Healthineers at the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, which has treated over 12,000 patients since its inception. These partnerships have played a crucial role in improving care standards and providing high-quality medical equipment.
The cancer center is equipped with four linear accelerators, the highest number in West Africa, and has provided training for healthcare professionals across Nigeria. Dr. Yakub underscored the importance of such partnerships in improving cancer care and retaining local medical talent.
He also highlighted the importance of awareness campaigns and the establishment of cancer treatment centers in rural areas, where access to care is limited. “Raising awareness and providing education are critical,” he added.
Siemens Healthineers echoed this sentiment, reaffirming its commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria. In a statement, Deepali Vichare Dsouza, the communications lead at Siemens Healthineers, emphasized the company’s ongoing partnership with the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre to enhance cancer treatment through state-of-the-art equipment and professional training.
Siemens Healthineers intends to continue supporting Nigeria in building a robust healthcare ecosystem, from diagnostics to treatment and follow-up care, while nurturing the necessary workforce to tackle the cancer challenge effectively.
