Experts Call for Investment in Childhood Cancer Care

Experts at a conference focused on childhood cancer care in Nigeria underscored the urgent need for increased investment in this sector. Dr. Adedayo Joseph, chair of the scientific committee, emphasized the importance of aligning scientific innovation with sustainable healthcare delivery tailored to African realities.

Prof. Adeshey Akinset, chairman of the local organizing committee, noted the stark disparity in survival rates, with high-income countries exceeding 90% while Nigeria's rates remain between 20-30%. The conference explored the role of digital technology, including artificial intelligence, to enhance diagnosis and treatment efficiency.

Dr. Nickhil Bhakta from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital highlighted that investing in childhood cancer care yields significant economic returns. Dr. Jennif Geel pointed out that 80% of childhood cancers are curable, yet African countries face challenges like late diagnosis and high treatment costs.

The conference aimed to develop scalable solutions and emphasized the need for coordinated investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and access to medicines.