Nigeria’s healthcare authorities have directed hospitals to stop prematurely discharging cancer patients without making adequate arrangements for continued care.
The National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Plan said patients should not be sent home simply because a hospital can no longer provide further curative treatment.
According to the coordinator, hospitals that are unable to continue a patient’s treatment must refer them to a facility with the capacity to provide the required care, ensuring that treatment and support continue without interruption.
The coordinator explained that a cancer patient should only be discharged when the individual is clinically stable, able to take medication orally and unlikely to require further medical monitoring.
The authorities also stressed that patients with advanced cancer should not be abandoned when curative treatment is no longer possible.
Where cancer has progressed and treatment is no longer aimed at curing the disease, patients should continue to receive appropriate medical support, including pain management, symptom control and comfort care.
Palliative Care to Begin Early
Palliative care is now being positioned as a central part of cancer management, rather than a service reserved only for patients approaching the end of life.
Under the approach, palliative care should be integrated within six weeks of a cancer diagnosis and maintained throughout the patient’s treatment journey.
The support goes beyond managing physical symptoms. It also covers patients’ psychological, social, financial and spiritual needs.
Many cancer patients experience job losses, reduced income and rising treatment costs, which can make it difficult for them to continue treatment or disclose their condition.
Early access to palliative care can help patients and their families manage these challenges while the patient continues to receive active cancer treatment.
Pain management, alongside symptom-focused radiotherapy where appropriate, remains a key component of palliative care.
Families and Spiritual Support
Healthcare providers are also encouraged to involve patients’ families in the care process, recognising that cancer can affect household finances, emotional wellbeing and decisions surrounding treatment.
Spiritual support may also be incorporated into care based on the patient’s beliefs and preferences.
The overall strategy seeks to keep cancer patients connected to the healthcare system throughout every stage of the disease, providing appropriate care and support until the end of life.
The policy places emphasis on preserving patients’ dignity and ensuring quality care regardless of whether their condition can ultimately be cured.
