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The delivery of cancer care in Nigeria is impeded firstly by a lack of infrastructure, with a low number of hospital beds and skilled staff across the care pathway—an issue which has been compounded by the migration of skilled staff out of sub-Saharan Africa and to more developed countries. A lack of specialized equipment, such as radiotherapy machines, and the prohibitive costs of delivering cancer care are significant challenges as well. According to Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, challenges at the governmental level play a role as well, because in addition to a lack of skilled staff, there is a lack of developed cancer centers and a lack of funding, all of which prevent patients from accessing high-quality care. This great need inspired Dr. Elebute-Odunsi to establish the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, which offers all the treatments patients need across the care continuum in one place.
“We’re a one-stop comprehensive cancer center...When patients walk in the door, they can [receive] all the treatments they require [here] from beginning to end.”
Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog.
Guests:


Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPath
Founder/CEO
Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital
Founder/Chair Board of Trustees
Women In Healthcare Network
Lagos, Nigeria
Resources:
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Cancer Care Centers.
June 30, 2026

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