Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Jul:5:1-7.
doi: 10.1200/JGO.18.00231.

Pediatric Oncology in Nigeria: A Panoramic View

Adeseye Michael Akinsete  1 , Babatunde Adeniran Odugbemi  2 , Gbemisola Eniola Ogundowole  3 , Uchechukwu Udochukwu Anene-Nzelu  3 , Edamisan Temiye  1 , Adebola Akinsulie  1
Affiliations

Pediatric Oncology in Nigeria: A Panoramic View

Adeseye Michael Akinsete et al. J Glob Oncol. 2019 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: A large number of children still die as a result of cancer in low- to middle-income countries, and factors such has poor infrastructure, inadequate human resources, and poorly developed health insurance are responsible for most of these deaths. Nigeria is a country with a young population and a struggling health system. We aimed to survey pediatric oncologists in Nigeria using an online survey instrument.

Methods: We surveyed the national group of pediatric oncologists using an instrument designed to assess manpower availability, infrastructural support, support services, and presence of radiotherapy and medications.

Results: A total of 14 institutions responded, represented by 24 oncologists of the 42 oncologists on the platform, with a response rate of 57.1%. Most of the oncologists had practiced for more than 10 years, but only two institutions had a dedicated pediatric oncology ward. There was no population-based pediatric oncology tumor registry. Molecular diagnostic capability was not available, nor was a structurally efficient radiotherapy support service. The centers also struggled with inadequate blood and blood product provision.

Conclusion: Pediatric oncology services in Nigeria are still grappling with weak human capital, poorly developed infrastructure, weak regional and national referral systems, and poor support services.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Edamisan Temiye

Consulting or Advisory Role: Pfizer

No other potential conflicts of interest were reported.

Figures

FIG 1
FIG 1
Distribution of pediatric oncology services in Nigeria.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Kellie SJ, Howard SC. Global child health priorities: What role for paediatric oncologists? Eur J Cancer. 2008;44:2388–2396. - PubMed
    1. Gupta S, Howard S, Hunger S, et al: Treating childhood cancers in low- and middle-income countries, in Gelband H, Jha P, Sankaranarayanan R, et al (eds): Cancer: Disease Control Priorities, Volume 3 (ed 3). Washington, DC, World Bank, 2015, pp XXXX-XXXX. - PubMed
    1. Howard SC, Zaidi A, Cao X, et al. The My Child Matters programme: Effect of public-private partnerships on paediatric cancer care in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet Oncol. 2018;19:e252–e266. - PubMed
    1. McGregor LM, Metzger ML, Sanders R, et al. Pediatric cancers in the new millennium: Dramatic progress, new challenges. Oncology (Williston Park) 2007;21:809–820, discussion 820, 823-824. - PubMed
    1. Ndom P. Challenges of anticancer chemotherapy in Africa. Can J Urol. 2008;15:3909–3911. - PubMed