Ebube Nonye, ​​a small time trader selling eggs in Lugbe area of ​​Abuja has spent over 60 of her savings on cancer treatment and her journey has only just begun.

Nonye’s life changed drastically in October 2023 when she discovered a lump in one of her breasts. Doctors initially dismissed the lump as non-cancerous, denying her request for surgery.

However, she was later diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. Speaking to BusinessDay in tears, Nonye described her devastation and the enormous strain of trying to afford life-saving care.

Read also: Delayed cancer treatment could increase the death rate by 125%.

“I have already spent more than 60 percent of my savings and am now scrambling for more funds as my treatment is just beginning. I desperately need all the support I can get to continue my treatment.”

The struggling mother-of-two bears this financial burden despite the government’s announcement of cancer grant schemes in 2019. Some of these initiatives include: The Chemotherapy Access Partnership (CAP), which promises a 50% reduction in the cost of 16 priority cancer drugs and chemotherapy treatments as well as the Cancer Health Fund (CHF) to provide completely free treatment for breast, cervical and ovarian cancer prostate for poor patients.

In addition, cancer care has been incorporated into National Health Insurance. However, the benefits of these programs remain largely inaccessible to those in urgent need.

Not knowing of any government aid, Nonye had to pay for her treatment as she is not covered by any health insurance scheme.

These government intervention programs, which aim to reduce costs, struggle to make a tangible impact due to various challenges, including the currency crisis, low awareness and bureaucratic hurdles, making it extremely difficult for patients to benefit.

Cancer treatment in Nigeria is one of the most catastrophic health care expenses, with costs rising steadily. The devaluation of the naira has further exacerbated the situation as Nigeria relies heavily on pharmaceutical imports. As a result, patients are forced to cover the costs of drugs and treatments that have tripled in the last six months.

Cost of treatment

Zoladex injections, which were previously priced at N60,000, increased to N120,000 in early 2024 and now stands at N230,000. Zoladex is used to treat prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women. Similarly, the cost of Capecitabine, used for breast, colon and rectal cancer, has increased from N5,000 in 2023 to N20,000 this year.

Each cycle of Herceptin now costs about N700,000, up from over N300,000 in 2023, while a full radiotherapy session currently costs between ₦600,000 and ₦1 million.

Chemotherapy sessions range from N600,000 to N1.5 million each. According to the African Health Federation, breast cancer treatment, which cost an average of N2 million three to five years ago, now ranges between N5 and N40 million.

Prostate cancer treatment increased from N1.3 million – N4 million to over N5 million, while cervical cancer treatment increased from N1 million to N3 million, with costs still rising.

The total cost depends on the method of radiation therapy, the dose required, the drugs prescribed and any additional post-treatment expenses.

Read also: Nigeria’s Cancer Crisis: A Call for Systemic Change

Many low-income patients rely on donations or resort to selling their belongings to finance their treatments. It is now common to see Nigerians turning to social media to set up fundraising campaigns. However, some patients report worsening health conditions due to delays in obtaining the necessary funds.

Rebecca Titus, another patient battling breast cancer at the National Hospital in Abuja, expressed her frustration at the financial burden of treatment. A resident of Bauchi, Titus had to move to Abuja to access care.

“I was diagnosed with cancer in February. Initially, doctors dismissed it as non-cancerous. My first treatment cost N2.1 million followed by N1.6 million and my third treatment will be N1.5 million for chemotherapy and related procedures. I also spent N480,000 on drugs initially and then N300,000 the second time,” she said.

“Right now, I need five liters of blood to continue the treatment and the exams only cost N20,000. I have sold everything; we survive on donations from friends and family,” she added.

The growing burden of cancer

Titus, like Nonye, ​​was unaware of any government subsidy programs and had no health insurance.

As the cost increases, the burden of cancer in Nigeria is expected to increase as well. According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), Nigeria recorded over 120,000 new cases and about 80,000 deaths in Nigeria in 2022 and this is expected to increase to 300,000 by 2050, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Protection, recently stated that cancer is one of the fastest growing non-communicable diseases.

CAP program

The PAC program, designed to reduce the cost of cancer drugs, has struggled to deliver due to currency crises and a lack of visibility.

Nwamaka Lasebikan, the President of the Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists of Nigeria, disclosed that the programme’s supply of drugs has decreased significantly due to the foreign exchange crisis.

“The program doesn’t have as many drugs as before, and that’s because of fluctuations in dollar rates. Pharmaceutical companies are struggling to see how they can put their drugs on this platform,” she said.

She noted that until the naira is stable to allow pharmaceutical firms to make projections, it will be difficult to sustain the program for any impact.

“If more pharmaceutical companies can get their drugs into the NCAP programme, more people will be able to benefit at a lower cost.”

A health care provider at the National Hospital’s oncology department added that the CAP program also suffers from low demand, as many patients are either unaware of it or seek cheaper, often generic, alternatives due to the perceived high cost.

Read also: The foundation drives breast cancer awareness in Imo State

Low awareness, slow implementation

Meanwhile, several other cancer patients who spoke to BusinessDay at the National Hospital said they were not aware of such a programme.

A breast cancer patient at the National Hospital, who identified herself as Halima, said she registered in December 2023 but has yet to receive funds.

“I spent over N3 million from my own savings as well as contributions from friends and family. It’s disheartening. The process is daunting,” she said.

She also recounted the experience of her colleague, who is now a cervical cancer survivor. Her friend applied for the fund, but it took about two years for her to receive it.

“A friend I met in a support group applied in 2022 and only got help after two years. Another who finally received funds complains that some vital drugs are not covered. Cancer care is an enormous burden on us; it’s a double trauma, dealing with the disease and the constant worry about treatment costs,” she cried.

Experts warn that the rising cost of cancer care, combined with the ineffectiveness of the fund, is leaving a growing number of Nigerians without adequate support.

Expressing disappointment over the impact of the CAP program of the FG, Adaobi Onyechi, a public health expert, decried that patients are not aware of the program and how they can benefit from it. She lamented that available priority drugs are being wasted while patents continue to incur high costs.

She stressed that the government needs to do more and invest more to fight the disease.