Ebube Nonye, a petty trader in Abuja, has spent over 60% of her savings on breast cancer treatment, with her medical journey just beginning. Diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in late 2023 after initial misdiagnosis, Nonye faces immense financial and emotional strain.
“I have already spent most of my savings and desperately need support to continue treatment,” Nonye said, fighting tears. Despite government programs like the Chemotherapy Access Partnership (CAP) and Cancer Health Fund (CHF), she remains unaware of any assistance, forcing her to shoulder the full cost.
The skyrocketing costs of cancer care in Nigeria have left many patients in despair. Zoladex injections, critical for breast and prostate cancer, now cost ₦230,000, up from ₦60,000 last year. Herceptin cycles exceed ₦700,000, while radiotherapy sessions cost between ₦600,000 and ₦1 million. A complete breast cancer treatment can now range from ₦5 million to ₦40 million.
Another patient, Rebecca Titus, shared her ordeal. After being diagnosed in February 2024, she spent over ₦4 million on initial treatments and has resorted to donations to continue care. “We’ve sold everything we own. The burden is unbearable,” she said.
While the CAP program aims to reduce drug costs by 50%, foreign exchange volatility and low awareness have crippled its impact. Patients like Nonye and Titus remain excluded from its benefits.
Experts, including Adaobi Onyechi, a public health advocate, urge the government to strengthen cancer programs and increase awareness. “Patients don’t know about these subsidies, and vital drugs are underutilized,” she said.
As the cost of cancer care continues to rise, the Nigerian government must address funding challenges, improve implementation of existing programs, and ensure no patient battles cancer alone.
