South-East Nigeria’s Struggle for Access to MRI Services For Cancer Diagnosis

The battle against cancer, particularly in the realm of diagnosis and treatment, faces a significant hurdle in Nigeria, especially in the South-East region. Despite cancer being responsible for an annual death toll of 78,000 in Nigeria, public hospitals in the South-Eastern geopolitical zone currently lack access to crucial diagnostic tools like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines for cancer detection.

The five states in the South-East region may contribute to approximately 13% (10,000) of the yearly cancer-related deaths in Nigeria. Oncologists have noted that these numbers are on the rise due to various factors, including lifestyle choices, consumption of processed foods, dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption, and the intake of starchy foods.

A recent investigation by The Guardian uncovered efforts to refurbish and equip the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) in Enugu as a primary cancer care center for the region. However, despite being home to about 22 million people and hosting premier health institutions like Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) in Awka, Anambra state, the South-East still relies on private facilities in Enugu or public tertiary facilities in distant locations like Lagos, Ibadan, and even Northern Nigeria for comprehensive cancer diagnosis.

This situation highlights the stark absence of MRI machines, a crucial diagnostic tool for cancer, in public tertiary hospitals in the South-East. MRI, a non-invasive imaging technology, plays a vital role in detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring diseases like cancer, particularly those affecting soft tissues and organs.

While the procurement of a modern MRI machine comes with a significant price tag, not to mention ongoing maintenance costs, the cost of accessing this service at private facilities in the South-East is prohibitively high for many ordinary people. This economic barrier restricts access to timely cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Professor Ifeoma Okoye, a Radiology expert at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), expressed her frustration at the lack of MRI machines in the region. She emphasized that despite having qualified medical personnel, the absence of essential diagnostic facilities hinders accurate and timely diagnoses. Patients are often referred to locations where they can access these critical services.

Unfortunately, UNTH Enugu is the sole center of excellence in the South-East approved by the federal government to handle cancer cases. All other federal government hospitals in the region must refer cancer patients to the UNTH’s Oncology unit. The absence of an MRI machine at UNTH and other public tertiary hospitals in the South-East exacerbates the challenges faced by cancer patients.

Dr. Nwamaka Lasebikan, Director of the Oncology Centre at UNTH, acknowledged that while the hospital has made significant strides in improving cancer care, the lack of an MRI machine poses a considerable setback. MRI offers superior resolution compared to the CT scan machine currently in use, making it an invaluable tool for cancer diagnosis.

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Dr. Lasebikan stressed the importance of early-stage diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for cancer patients. UNTH boasts the necessary treatment facilities, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, without an MRI machine, the diagnostic process remains incomplete.

Emeritus Professor Okechukwu Mbonu, the former President of the West African College of Surgeons, noted that residents in the South-East requiring cancer diagnosis have often sought treatment at the federal facility in Ibadan due to its more comprehensive facilities.

In conclusion, the absence of MRI machines in public tertiary hospitals in Nigeria’s South-East region presents a significant obstacle to timely cancer diagnosis and treatment. While efforts are being made to enhance cancer care, the prohibitive cost of accessing private facilities underscores the urgent need for affordable and accessible healthcare services for cancer patients in the region. Addressing this issue is not only a matter of healthcare but also one of social equity and public health.

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