Establishing a public private-partner cancer center within an existing medical center in Ondo State, Nigeria

This project was initiated by the Ondo State government in collaboration with private sector partners in Nigeria. The goal is to improve access to high quality cancer treatments within Nigeria. It involves capacity building with partner institutions, the establishment of a radiotherapy center and medical oncology services for cancer patients. Capacity building in oncology is ongoing through Dana Faber Cancer Institute, and construction of the radiation bunkers is ongoing in collaboration with Varian Medical Systems. Due the paucity of radiotherapy machines in Nigeria, this center is incorporating machine learning systems to assist radiation oncologists and medical physicists in treatment planning to achieve high throughput and accuracy. In the long-term there could be exchange rotations in this center trainees and oncologists in to build oncology capacity and collaborate in research.

Funding is provided through the Ondo State Government, the Ondo State Cancer Foundation, Private donations from corporate entities, and high net worth individuals. Funding for training is from the Harvard Global Health Catalyst at Dana Farber Cancer Center. The University of Washington Department of Global Health is currently funding an MPH student through the GO Fellowship for a cancer research study in Ondo State. UW DGH officially partnered with Ondo State Government for Research and Training.