How Nigeria can Improve Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, Study reveals

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

In what could be a significant advancement for pediatric healthcare in Nigeria, a team of researchers from Nigeria and the University of Toronto has developed a comprehensive implementation framework published in the PLOS Global Public Health journal that could support improved access to childhood cancer medicines in Nigeria.

This is through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, an initiative launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The research team was led by Otuto Amarauche Chukwu, a PhD candidate in Health Policy at the University of Toronto, in conjunction with Professor Isaac F. Adewole (a former Health Minister in Nigeria), and Professor Avram Denburg and Beverley M. Essue of the University of Toronto.

They conducted an extensive study, engaging a diverse group of stakeholders—including policymakers from Nigeria’s Ministry of Health, international development partners and healthcare professionals such as oncologists and pharmacists—to gather insights into the systemic barriers and opportunities to improving access to childhood cancer medicines.
Professor Isaac F. Adewole emphasized the importance of governmental support in healthcare initiatives, stating, “Governmental prioritization is crucial for the sustainability of healthcare programs.

“Our framework aligns with national health goals and ensures that pediatric cancer care receives the attention it urgently needs.”

Additionally, Professor Avram Denburg highlighted the collaborative nature of the framework, saying, “Our approach leverages existing healthcare structures and fosters partnerships across various sectors, ensuring a holistic and effective implementation that can be adapted to Nigeria’s unique context.”

Key findings from the study highlight a growing policy support and increased governmental prioritization of pediatric cancer care in Nigeria. Existing programs like the Cancer Access Partnership and the Cancer Health Fund were identified as potential platforms for integrating and scaling the proposed framework. According to Professor Beverley M. Essue, “the proposed framework advocates for active engagement with patients and communities to ensure culturally sensitive and sustainable solutions.

“The framework also calls for balancing strategic planning with actionable interventions, actively engaging with local experts and context-specific challenges, and ensuring that efforts translate into tangible improvements in medicine accessibility for children in need.”

The researchers urge WHO and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital considers this framework to facilitate Nigeria’s inclusion in the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines. Such integration promises to significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for countless Nigerian children battling cancer.

Children and adolescents in developing countries like Nigeria face disproportionately low survival rates for cancer—approximately 30% compared to 80% in high-income countries.

This alarming disparity is largely attributed to inadequate access to essential cancer medications. Despite the establishment of the Global Platform intended to mitigate such challenges, Nigeria has yet to benefit from its provisions due to the absence of a tailored implementation strategy.

“This framework is not just a strategic document but is a practical tool to help many children and families in Nigeria,” said Otuto Amarauche Chukwu.

“By operationalizing this framework, we can bridge the existing gaps and ensure that no child is denied the chance to survive and thrive due to lack of access to essential cancer treatments.”

The findings from this study serve as a critical resource for policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and international organizations committed to addressing health inequities, and emphasize the importance of contextually informed strategies in global health initiatives.