By Hassan Hussain
Health sector stakeholders have called for stronger Pan-African collaboration, increased investment in cancer research, and expanded financial protection for patients to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment across Africa.
The call was made at the 2026 Best of ASCO Africa Conference in Abuja, where oncologists, researchers, policymakers and development partners reviewed global advances in cancer care and discussed strategies for adapting them to African health systems.
COLLABORATION KEY TO BRIDGING CARE GAP
A Breast Medical Oncologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Co-Chair of the Best of ASCO Africa Initiative, Dr. Abiola Falilat Ibrahim, said African countries must work together to bridge the persistent gap in cancer care by improving access to innovative therapies and modern treatment technologies.
Dr. Ibrahim, who is also Vice-President, North America of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer, AORTIC, said wide disparities still exist between cancer treatment in developed countries and what is available to patients across much of Africa.
She explained that the Best of ASCO Africa initiative was established to provide a platform for African experts to share the latest breakthroughs in cancer research while developing practical approaches to making life-saving innovations accessible across the continent.
According to her, a united continental approach would also strengthen Africa’s bargaining power in securing affordable access to advanced cancer medicines and technologies.
Dr. Ibrahim described the growing participation at the conference as evidence of increasing commitment to improving cancer care across Africa, noting that attendance and stakeholder support have expanded significantly since the maiden edition held in Ethiopia last year.
NIGERIA LEVERAGING GLOBAL DISCOVERIES
Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, NICRAT, Professor Usman Malami Aliyu, said Nigeria is leveraging global scientific discoveries to strengthen cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment in line with the conference theme, “From Global Discovery to Local Delivery.”
Professor Aliyu said the conference provides an opportunity for experts to translate cutting-edge research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, ASCO, Annual Meeting into practical solutions that address Nigeria’s healthcare needs.
While acknowledging that cancer treatment remains expensive worldwide, he said the Federal Government has introduced strategic interventions through the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, including the Catastrophic Health Fund and the National Cancer Health Fund, to subsidise cancer prevention, diagnosis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, particularly for indigent patients.
He also highlighted the Presidential Initiative on local pharmaceutical manufacturing, expressing optimism that increased domestic production of cancer medicines would improve access to treatment and reduce dependence on imported drugs.
EXPANDED FINANCIAL PROTECTION FOR PATIENTS
The Special Adviser on Research and Innovation to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Lolade Adeyemi, said the Federal Government is developing additional financial protection mechanisms for cancer patients through the Cancer Health Fund and the Social Determinants of Health Fund.
She explained that the initiatives, being implemented through the NHIA, are expected to provide insurance coverage for eligible cancer patients, with implementation expected to gather momentum within the next year.
Dr. Adeyemi said Nigeria has made remarkable progress in cancer research and treatment, revealing that the country is currently hosting three immunotherapy clinical trials for the first time.
According to her, the development has made advanced cancer medicines such as Nivolumab and Keytruda available in Nigeria at no cost to eligible participants, eliminating the need for many patients to travel abroad for access to life-saving therapies.
She attributed the achievement to the growing capacity of Nigerian researchers and healthcare professionals, whose work has attracted international collaboration and positioned the country as an emerging hub for cancer research in Africa.
NEED FOR MORE AFRICA-LED RESEARCH
A Breast Cancer Surgeon, Health Systems Researcher and Immediate Past President of AORTIC, Dr. Miriam Mutebi, said Africa currently contributes only about 8 per cent of global cancer research despite its rising cancer burden.
Dr. Mutebi noted that although research output on the continent has improved, cancers with the highest burden in Africa, including cervical and prostate cancers, remain under-researched.
She identified sustained domestic investment in research and innovation as a major factor behind countries that have made significant progress in cancer research, and urged African governments to fulfil the African Union commitment of allocating 1 per cent of Gross Domestic Product to research and development.
The cancer expert also called for more locally driven studies to address the realities confronting African patients, including late presentation, poor treatment completion and cultural misconceptions about cancer.
She stressed that evidence generated through local research should be used to strengthen health systems, improve patient experience and guide policies that will deliver better cancer outcomes across the continent.
The Best of ASCO Africa Conference brought together leading oncologists, researchers, policymakers and healthcare professionals from across Africa to review the latest advances in cancer management and deepen collaboration aimed at improving cancer care and survival on the continent.
