The Federal Government stated that cancer patients should not be sent home when they still require hospital-based care, emphasizing that treatment should continue even when a cure is no longer achievable.
Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu, National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, made this point in an interview with reporters on Friday in Abuja.
Nwokwu explained that if a health facility cannot provide further curative treatment, it should not automatically discharge the patient without arrangements for continued care at another suitable facility.
He added that patients should be referred promptly to facilities with the capacity to provide appropriate care and necessary medical support without interruption.
“Even when there is no bed space, you should refer the patient to where care can continue,” he stressed, highlighting the importance of uninterrupted cancer treatment.
According to him, the only situation in which a cancer patient should be discharged home is when they are clinically stable, able to take treatment orally, and unlikely to need further intervention or monitoring.
“No matter how bad the situation looks, that is all the reason you should keep the patient in the hospital,” Nwokwu said, urging facilities to prioritize patients’ ongoing needs.
He explained that cancer treatment might involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or targeted therapy, depending on the disease’s type, stage, and individual patient needs.
Nwokwu noted that, in advanced cancer cases, treatment aimed at cure might no longer be feasible, especially if the disease has spread. However, he emphasized that care should not stop at that point, as patients still require appropriate management of pain and other distressing symptoms.
“The patient is entitled to a peaceful, pain-free death,” he said. “Even if cure is no longer possible, the patient should not die in pain.”
He highlighted the importance of palliative care, which should not be seen as only for those nearing death or who have exhausted treatment options.
The National Palliative Care Policy advocates for integrating palliative care from diagnosis through the course of illness and until the end of life, providing continuous support for patients.
“We are not saying start palliative care only when it’s hopeless. It should begin within six weeks of diagnosis,” he explained.
Nwokwu said palliative care addresses physical, psychological, social, financial, and spiritual challenges related to cancer and its treatment, especially for vulnerable patients.
He noted that a cancer diagnosis can impact employment, family livelihoods, and treatment costs, with fears of job loss discouraging some from disclosing their condition.
These challenges can hinder patients from starting, continuing, or completing treatment, worsening outcomes and quality of life.
He stressed that palliative care should be integrated early into cancer management to help patients cope and receive appropriate support throughout treatment.
Spiritual care can also be part of this support, tailored to the patient’s beliefs, and should complement medical treatment without replacing it.
“The patient should be part of their care plan so they can be counseled and understand that their beliefs can also aid healing,” he said. “While receiving medical treatment, they can also receive psychological and spiritual support.”
Families should also be involved, as cancer can affect the wider family system, including finances, emotional wellbeing, and treatment decisions.
Pain management remains a key component of palliative care, and radiotherapy can be used to relieve symptoms and pain, depending on the treatment goals.
Nwokwu warned that delaying palliative care could make it harder for patients to cope and impact their ability to stay on and complete treatment.
He emphasized the need for a continuum of care, where patients remain within the healthcare system and receive appropriate support based on disease stage and progression.
Even when curative treatment is no longer possible, patients should continue receiving care that preserves their comfort, dignity, and quality of life until the end.
