By Gwurld4026 
Japa: Addressing Cancer Care in Nigeria
The Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) has raised concerns about the significant shortage of oncologists in the country, exacerbated by the ongoing “Japa” syndrome—the mass migration of healthcare professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. According to the NCS, the current ratio of radiation and clinical oncologists to cancer patients in Nigeria is approximately 1:1,800, a stark contrast to the ideal ratio of 1:250–500.
This shortage is further highlighted by a study indicating that Nigeria has about 70 clinical oncologists serving over 124,000 cancer patients in a population exceeding 213 million. Alarmingly, approximately 90% of Nigerian physicians are considering emigration to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, seeking better working conditions and remuneration.
The NCS attributes this migration trend to factors such as poor remuneration, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, and insufficient funding for the healthcare system. The society emphasizes the urgent need for the government to address these issues to retain healthcare professionals and improve cancer care in Nigeria.
The shortage of oncologists poses a significant challenge to cancer care in Nigeria, potentially leading to increased workloads for the remaining specialists and longer waiting times for patients, thereby adversely affecting treatment outcomes.