“All of that money can be kept in the country. If we create centres where people can be treated, people will pay for that service,” Joseph says.
“We have created tracks of good places we can refer them to. We connect them and they take it up from there. They are going there to spend money. That treatment they are going to receive is not free. If we have it here, they will stay here and pay for it,” she states.
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There are no centres in Nigeria fully committed to the management of cancer such as Alzahra Cancer Centre of Dubai, for instance. The available ones are embedded as units under general healthcare services in a handful of private hospitals and mini departments at public facilities, including the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, the University College Hospital Ibadan, and others.
Most childhood cancers, however, are initially present with non-specific sign or symptoms, often leading to late detection.
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The causes of cancer in children also vary, as some children have a higher chance of developing a specific type of tumour because of certain genes they inherit from a parent. These children need careful, regular medical check-ups that include special tests to identify early signs of cancer, all which access is limited, as parents and guardians travel long distances in search of care within the country.
To resolve this, Echolab Services Limited is considering a $100 million investment in cancer centre in Nigeria, showing an example for others to follow.
Benson Ayodele, Echolab chairman, says it will be drawing support from private funders mainly because banks in Nigeria don’t often provide the type of patient fund able to nurture a healthcare business before return on investment sets in.
Ayodele says the firm will place emphasis on balancing the humanitarian and the business component together in building the cancer centre.
“Where we bring in the business component is such that having invested that money, you shouldn’t lose your money. You shouldn’t be going cap in hand every month looking for money to pay salaries,” he explains.
“That’s where we come in as professionals to ensure the business runs profitably to sustain itself. It is not your best business to do if the aim is to make money. It is totally different from manufacturing or agribusiness where you plant crop and in six months and you are harvesting and selling.”
