Cancer Crisis: Oncologist Calls for Private Investment in Treatment Centres
Wealthy Individuals, Corporations Urged to Invest in Cancer Treatment in Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria — The treatment gap for cancer care in Nigeria could be significantly narrowed through investments by affluent individuals and corporate organizations, according to Dr. Omolola Salako, a Clinical and Radiation Oncologist. Salako emphasized that private-sector investment is essential to support government initiatives and improve access to life-saving cancer treatments nationwide.
Speaking during a virtual session of the 2026 Naija Cancer Watch Fellowship—a health journalism program organized by Sebeccly Cancer Care—Salako highlighted the pressing need for specialized treatment centers and advanced equipment. The fellowship aims to equip journalists with skills for accurate and evidence-based reporting on cancer, running from July 29 to September 8.
Salako pointed out that the limited number of radiotherapy centers is a significant barrier to effective cancer treatment, with only about 18 states in Nigeria housing such facilities. She urged philanthropists and businesses to consider investing in cancer treatment centers, particularly in areas where patients struggle to access specialized care.
“Our corporate sector has the capacity to donate radiotherapy machines. Setting up a radiotherapy center can cost around $15 million,” Salako stated. She added that wealthy Nigerians can play a crucial role in cancer care without solely relying on government initiatives.
“Every millionaire or billionaire can establish a cancer center in their state,” she said. “While we are not suggesting that it is mandatory, we encourage them to focus their efforts on this critical need.”
Salako explained that such investments would reduce the distances cancer patients must travel for treatment and alleviate the demand on existing facilities. In addition to infrastructure challenges, she noted the impact of stigma and misinformation on cancer survivors, many of whom remain silent about their experiences due to fear of rejection.
“A lot of cancer survivors choose to stay quiet. For every one survivor we know at Sebeccly, there are countless others who do not share their stories,” she disclosed. Salako urged journalists to approach interviews with cancer patients and survivors with empathy, understanding the emotional and psychological burdens they may carry.
“Empathy is crucial when speaking to those living with cancer. It means recognizing their struggles without absorbing their pain,” she advised.
She also challenged the perception that a cancer diagnosis equates to a death sentence, citing advancements in treatment and early detection that allow many patients to survive the disease. “Cancer is not a death sentence—a narrative that is false, as more individuals are thriving after a diagnosis,” Salako asserted.
Moreover, she emphasized that cancer is not contagious and called on the media to focus on narratives that promote early detection, positive treatment outcomes, and survivorship, rather than perpetuating fear and stigma. Stronger reporting on the experiences of cancer survivors, she argued, could help shift public perceptions and encourage others to seek necessary treatment without discrimination.
