A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bosede Afolabi, has urged all tiers of government to intentionally increase funding for health research, especially for women.
Afolabi, Director of Clinical Trials, Research and Implementation Science (CCTRIS), University of Lagos, made the appeal at the ‘Banking on Women’s Health Conference’ in Lagos.
The event, held on Saturday, was organised by Healthtracka. Afolabi delivered a presentation titled, ‘The Future of Women’s Health Begins with Research.’
She stressed that the lack of funding in women’s health research represents a missed opportunity to strengthen healthcare services and outcomes for women.
Afolabi highlighted major diseases under-researched in women, in spite of their prevalence.
“Lung cancer, the top cancer in women, has under 15 per cent female-focused research.
“Alzheimer’s affects two-thirds of women, yet less than 12 per cent of related research centres on them,” she said.
She also noted that heart disease remains the leading killer of women, with sickle cell also under-researched, particularly in female patients.
Afolabi explained that clinical trials need significant financial backing. However, Nigeria allocates less than 0.2 per cent of its GDP to research.
She compared global investment: Europe allocates 27 per cent, Asia 31 per cent, and the United States, 37 per cent of GDP to research.
“The U.S. spends around $245 billion on medical research alone. That’s roughly equal to or more than Nigeria’s entire GDP,” she stated.
She described it as alarming that 90 per cent of Nigeria’s research funding still comes from international donors, rather than local commitment.
According to Afolabi, research is the foundation of evidence-based care. She urged non-partisan, focused investment in women’s health research at all government levels.
She stated that such investment is vital to improving women’s wellbeing and speeding up national economic growth and development.
The Managing Director, Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre, Dr Modupe Elebute-Odunsi also called for increased education to tackle stigma surrounding cancer diagnoses.
She made this appeal while speaking on ‘Taking Action: Cancer Screening Can’t Wait’ during the same conference.
Elebute-Odunsi said cancer is not a death sentence. Early screening and advances in treatment now offer patients much better outcomes.
She noted many Nigerians delay hospital visits. Early screening and accessible treatment are essential to boosting survival rates in the country.
NAN
