Nigeria needs a major expansion of its radiotherapy infrastructure to meet the treatment needs of cancer patients, according to a senior specialist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Dr Adebayo Oladeji, Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at UCH, said the country requires at least 1,000 radiotherapy machines but currently has fewer than 20.
He made the disclosure while speaking in Ibadan as part of activities marking World Radiotherapy Day.
Radiotherapy is a critical component of cancer treatment and is used to target and destroy cancer cells while limiting damage to surrounding tissue.
The severe shortage of equipment means many Nigerian cancer patients face difficulties accessing timely treatment, particularly those who cannot afford to seek care outside the country.
Oladeji identified inadequate infrastructure, late presentation and the cost of treatment among the major challenges confronting cancer care in Nigeria.
The shortage also highlights the wider infrastructure gap facing Nigeria’s health sector, where demand for specialised cancer treatment continues to increase.
Health experts have repeatedly called for greater investment in cancer prevention, early diagnosis, treatment infrastructure and specialist healthcare personnel.
The UCH specialist’s assessment underscores the scale of the equipment deficit and the need for sustained investment if Nigeria is to expand access to modern cancer treatment.