SHORTAGE OF ONCOLOGY NURSES THREATENS CANCER CARE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

Nursing professionals have warned that a shortage of oncology nurses is weakening cancer care in Nigeria, calling for better working conditions and more specialist training opportunities.

Speaking in Abuja, they said limited training capacity and the migration of experienced nurses were making it harder to meet patients’ needs.

Professor Khadijat Musah, Dean of Nursing Sciences at the Federal University Otuoke, estimated that Nigeria had about 300 oncology nurses. She urged the government to improve their welfare and help retain trained personnel.

Musah said only two institutions offered specialist oncology nursing training, with admissions dependent on available resources.

Oncology nurse Ann Joachim also highlighted staff shortages, the personal cost of acquiring specialist skills and inadequate recognition for the work.

Fatima Adam, Vice-President of the Oncology Nursing Society of Nigeria, stressed that nurses were essential members of cancer-care teams because of their close involvement with patients.

She advocated introducing nursing students to oncology early to encourage more to specialise.

Nurse educator Nanre Mampak called for nurses to have a stronger voice in healthcare decisions, arguing that their frontline experience should inform policies affecting patient care.