…Overwhelmed families can’t help relatives
…Mirrors poor state of healthcare in Nigeria
…What we are doing to help out – Lagos health ministry
As the economic challenge and high cost of accessing healthcare in Nigeria escalate on a daily basis, making it difficult for citizens to have their sicknesses treated, the streets have become a last resort for many who are battling terminal diseases.
Every day, patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other life-threatening conditions are seen begging for alms on street corners, markets, roads and bus stops within Lagos State and many other states across Nigeria.
In some instances, these patients with varying diseases could be seen in commercial buses, begging for alms to be able to afford drugs for their ailments, either by themselves or through a helper.
These Nigerians who are in different age brackets in most cases see their pleas met with indifference, as passers-by hurry along, unaware of the desperate struggle for survival that these patients face.
Observers say that the situation mirrors Nigeria’s failing healthcare system, the lack of social welfare system and the failure of governance at all levels to be alive to its responsibilities, which forces the most vulnerable citizens to resort to begging for treatment.
Many of the terminally-ill patients and their families experience untold hardships in the country due to absence of requisite facilities, financial burden as well as ignorance on how to take care of the patients.
Despite the huge amount of money required to care for terminally-ill persons, the patients and their families pay from their pockets as the government does not pay or subsidise the healthcare services for them.
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) also does not cover most terminal illnesses.
Findings also revealed that aside from the absence of special centres for treatment of terminally-ill persons, many public hospitals lack required equipment for the treatment of terminal illnesses such as radiotherapy and dialysis machines.
The situation has become dire and worrying for terminally-ill patients, especially with the prevailing state of the economy which has forced many privileged Nigerians to limit their financial support. Even government support is often hijacked, politicised and does not reach the patients who need it.
“Every morning on my way to work, I see more people with terminal-illnesses sleeping under bridges and begging at bus stops. It’s heartbreaking and overwhelming.
“This isn’t the Lagos I knew a few years ago. Government should do more to help these people,” Tola Kunbi, a development sociologist, said.
The sociologist further noted that the increase in destitution and people with health challenges could also be tied to urban migration, inequality, and lack of affordable housing.
Lifestyle change, lack of regular check-up fuel terminal illnesses
Medical experts say there is a rise in terminal illnesses due to lack of moderation in the habits of people, especially Nigerians.
They pointed out that the situation was a global issue that was exacerbated by many factors.
Duro Olamide, a medical doctor, said chronic illnesses could be detected with periodic check-ups. The medical expert noted that more chronic illnesses come up because of life styles changes, there is bound to be more cases of terminal illnesses.
“It is an issue now; you agree with me that terminal-illnesses like cancer which used to be a white man problem is here and common now. But we don’t present ourselves early in hospitals and illnesses that are supposed to have been detected early and taken care of end up being terminal,” he said.
Other medical practitioners stated that most of terminal- illnesses are not being diagnosed early due to ignorance which largely contributes to their high mortality. They however, advocated for conserved effort and support by the government to help individuals and patients to deal with the health challenge.
“The government should set up a fund or form of assistance for people suffering from these terminal-illnesses, e.g cancer, stroke etc, it would really help some Nigerians who can’t afford treatment. Some people just wait and die because they don’t have money,” Sunday Ogundipe, a medical doctor, said.
He noted that people do not like to visit hospitals to be checked, since diseases are mostly detected late when they are at such stages and there is almost nothing to be done to reverse the situation.
Some common terminal diseases include cancer, chronic lung problems, chronic kidney diseases, stroke, chronic heart diseases, congestive heart failure, and liver disease. Most terminal illnesses usually occur at the last or advanced stage of the disease.
Read also: ‘How poor funding, skills, others gap undermine healthcare in Nigeria’
Patients, relatives narrate experiences
With the rise in cost of living and prices of drugs at all-time high in Nigeria as a result of the policies of government, the living conditions of many of these patients have worsened.
Terminally-ill patients and their relatives, who shared their experience with BusinessDay, said they resorted to seeking financial assistance in public places and roads because they had no choice.
Others said they had to seek public help because they could not take care of themselves or afford to buy drugs again.
Uloma Joy, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, said she now stays with her mother in their family home because she can barely take care of herself; she takes her to the hospital from time to time to receive care.
“My mother has had breast cancer for three years now and one of her legs is also not moving well, affecting how she walks. We initially patronised traditional medicine, but since there is no improvement in her condition we are going to hospital, “Uloma said.
Similarly, Tunde Oseni, whose sister had an undisclosed illness, said the family had no alternative than to move round the city, or stay in a public open place to seek financial help; so, the sister could afford her drugs.
“We have been taking her round the city to look for financial help for her treatment. We take her to the general hospital weekly to see a doctor and get the necessary drugs. We lost our father a long time ago, so there is no one to help,” she said.
Lagos health ministry reacts
When contacted by BusinesssDay to know what Lagos State was doing about the issue, the current Director of Public Affairs for the Lagos State Ministry of Health Olatunbosun Ogunbanwo, said the Ministry was aware of the high number of people with chronic health challenge across the state.
Ogunbanwo noted that the ministry occasionally organises free medical outreaches across communities, specifically targeting indigent and vulnerable residents who cannot afford the cost of medical treatment.
“I understand the deep concern evoked by the increasing number of individuals with illnesses and chronic health challenges who are forced to resort to begging in public places and bus stops across the state in search of financial help.
“At the Lagos State Ministry of Health, our goal is that every Lagosian enjoys unfettered access to qualitative healthcare without significant geographical, financial, cultural or political barriers.
“This is at the core of our mandate and the driving force behind the many interventions we have put in place to reach the most vulnerable in society.
“From time to time, the Ministry organizes free medical outreaches across communities, specifically targeting indigent and vulnerable residents who cannot afford the cost of medical treatment.
“These medical missions not only provide access to healthcare services in pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), but also offer quick interventions for minor ailments. Importantly, residents diagnosed with severe medical conditions during these outreaches are referred and placed on medical management at no cost to them, fully covered by the government.
Speaking further, he pointed out that for individuals needing one-off interventions such as surgeries, they are enrolled under the Lagos Free Health Programme, while those requiring continuous care and long-term management are catered for through the Eko Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA), the resource mobilization arm of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA).
He stated that EKOSHA is specifically designed to identify vulnerable residents, mobilize additional funds, and purchase health insurance on their behalf to ensure consistent access to quality healthcare.
According to him, “In addition, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Office of Civic Engagement provides both medical and financial assistance to citizens who formally request help for major medical interventions, including cases that require specialist attention or overseas medical treatment. Over the years, the Ministry has sponsored several of such cases both locally and internationally, depending on the nature of the ailment and the recommendation of health experts.
“Furthermore, to curb the growing trend of street begging under the pretense of seeking medical assistance, the Ministry of Health is actively working with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to develop sustainable solutions and rescue genuine cases from the streets.
“Meanwhile, LASHMA through EKOSHA is expanding its reach to capture more vulnerable residents under the Lagos State Social Health Insurance Scheme, making healthcare more accessible to all.
He further stressed, “We recognise that healthcare needs are dynamic, and while these initiatives may not yet reach every individual, the Ministry remains committed to expanding coverage, intensifying community outreach, and improving funding access for health insurance for the underserved.
“Lagosians are encouraged to leverage these government programs by reaching out through primary healthcare centres, local government health departments, or directly through the Ministry’s communication channels. Every life matters, and we are determined to leave no one behind.”
