New study has shown that a Nigerian cancer patient seeking treatment abroad pays about $60,000 excluding visa and air tickets just as doctors in Ekiti State, yesterday, raised the alarm over the devastating effect of breast cancer on women in the state.
The extensive study carried out by Phillips Consulting, PCL, found that every year, most Nigerian cancer patients, particularly women and low-income earners, seek treatment in the Middle East, India, Turkey, United States of America and Europe among others.
The Managing Director, Phillips Consulting, Mr. Robert Taiwo said: “Cancer patients spend astronomical amounts of money seeking treatment abroad, up to $60,000, excluding other associated financial costs including visa fees, flight tickets, logistics, hotel accommodation and upkeep for the patient and their caregiver.
“The cost of cancer treatments in Nigeria ranges from N850, 000 ($2,361) and $10,000 (N3, 600,000).
Since the masses cannot afford these costs, the number of people resorting to public intervention has constantly increased over the years; this is intuitive evidence of the great socioeconomic burden faced by cancer patients and their caregivers.”
