WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-P1.17.76 Facilities and Workforce Available for Thoracic Oncologic Care and Research in Nigeria, a Low-Middle Income Country (LMIC)

P1.17.76 Facilities and Workforce Available for Thoracic Oncologic Care and Research in Nigeria, a Low-Middle Income Country (LMIC)

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This study assessed the availability of facilities, services, and workforce for thoracic oncology care and research across tertiary institutions in Nigeria, a Low-Middle Income Country. A national survey was conducted in early 2025, targeting Federal University Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centers, State University Teaching Hospitals, and Specialty Hospitals, with responses from 39 institutions spanning all six geopolitical regions and 28 of 36 states. Key findings showed that while basic diagnostic tools like CT scans (74% institutions) and bronchoscopy (54%) were moderately available, advanced diagnostics such as PET-CT scanners (5%) and genomic testing (0%) were extremely limited. Treatment facilities for chemotherapy infusion were present in 89% of institutions, but linear accelerators for radiation therapy were only available in 30%. Median specialist workforce included 6 radiologists, 4 pathologists, 2 pulmonologists, and minimal medical oncologists and radiation oncologists per institution.<br /><br />Despite these nominal resources, service delivery remained constrained. Common challenges reported were lack of equipment and facilities (46% of respondents), workforce shortages (30%), late patient presentation (30%), diagnostic delays (16%), affordability issues (19%), and institutional funding deficits (6%). There were no reported concerns about pathology services, but poor record-keeping and sociocultural factors were minor barriers. Notably, most respondents (97%) expressed willingness to contribute data to an observational lung cancer registry.<br /><br />The study concluded that while foundational infrastructure and personnel exist, modern lung cancer care services in Nigeria remain limited due to equipment shortages, workforce gaps, high patient costs, and late diagnosis. These findings highlight opportunities for targeted partnerships to address gaps, enhance facilities, train personnel, and build sustainable cancer registries to improve lung cancer outcomes in Nigerian low-resource settings.

Asset Subtitle

Kelechi Okonta

Meta Tag

Speaker Kelechi Okonta

Topic Global Health, Health Services, and Health Economics

Keywords

thoracic oncology

lung cancer care

Nigeria healthcare

diagnostic facilities

cancer treatment infrastructure

workforce availability

low-middle income country

healthcare challenges

cancer registry

healthcare resource gaps