NIHR HPSR Reducing Cancer Delays in sub-Saharan Africa Project
Awarded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK through its Global Health Policy and Systems Research.
The NIHR Reducing Cancer Delays in sub-Saharan Africa project was awarded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through its Global Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) Programme. The project will run for 54 months from November 2024 to April 2029.
We aim to address delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria and Kenya by strengthening referral pathways and patient support. Building on established relationships with local governments, the initiative responds to growing public health efforts to encourage early clinic attendance and expand specialist services. It is therefore crucial to close the gap and provide an effective, efficient, compassionate, and equitable pathway from presentation at a primary health clinic to receiving specialist treatment.
Research team
Joint Principal Investigators
Joint Principal Investigators
- Professor Richard Lilford (University of Birmingham)
- Professor Akinyinka Omigbodun (University of Ibadan)
African Population and Health Research Center
African Population and Health Research Center
- Dr Calistus Wilunda
- Dr Gershim Asiki
- Dr Shukri Mohamed
- Dr Calistus Wilunda
- Ms Lyagamula Kisia
- Dr Hannah Simba
- Mr Nelson Mbaya
- Ms Grace Kyule
- Mr Franklin Koech
- Dr Doris Kambugyiro
- Ms Magdaline Mbithe Kusuna
- Ms Joy Wachuka
University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
- Professor Iestyn Williams
- Professor Samuel Watson
- Ms Katie Scandrett
- Dr Patricia Apenteng
- Dr Ruth Maganga
- Ms Jennifer Knight
- Ms Jo Sartori
- Ms Aisha Butt
- Mr Oscar Deeks
University of Ibadan
University of Ibadan
- Professor Olufunke Fayehun
- Professor Eme Owoaje
- Mr Olamide Adeosun
- Dr Olasumbo Zubair
- Dr Michael Owojuyigbe
- Dr Eniola Cadmus
- Dr Kudus Adebayo
- Mr Olumide Bamidele
- Ms Rebecca Ojuade
- Mr Damilare Olaniyi
- Ms Temitope Balogun
- Ms Chidimma Onyeonoru
- Mr Abiola Oladejo
- Ms Rukayat Usman
- Mr Biodun Alliu
KWTRP KEMRI-Wellcome Trust
KWTRP KEMRI-Wellcome Trust
- Mr Prashant Mandaliya
- Mrs Stacey Orangi
University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
- Professor Ewen Harrison
University of Warwick
University of Warwick
- Professor Frances Griffiths
- Dr Karin Eli
Georgetown University
Georgetown University
- Professor Jishnu Das
- Dr Yash Dhuldhoya
Harvard University
Harvard University
- Mr Benjamin Daniels
University of California, San Francisco
University of California, San Francisco
- Dr Ada Kwan
University of Exeter
University of Exeter
- Professor William Hamilton
Students
Students
We have 3 students enrolled as part of this project.
Dr Oluwasegun Caleb Idowu, University of Ibadan
- MD
- Cost of illness and adherence to care for cervical cancer in Ibadan and Kano, Nigeria
Miss Omolara Popoola, University of Ibadan
- PhD
- Impact of Cancer Treatment Barriers on Access to Care and Treatment Adherence Among Cancer Patients in Ibadan, Nigeria
Dr Ibrahim Muhammad, Bayero University
- PhD
- Diagnostic Journey of Women with Cervical Premalignant Lesions Attending Health Facilities in Kano, Nigeria
An individual from African Population and Health Research Center will complete a PhD by publication.
Project partners and funders
Study sites
The study is set in Nigeria and Kenya. Nigeria has a population of 233 million and Kenya has a population of 56 million.5 Like much of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), these are lower middle-income countries that are introducing Universal Health Coverage through a system of public and private providers across primary, secondary and tertiary care. Typical of SSA, these countries all provide basic diagnostic and surgical services and can treat cancers that are still confined to their organ of origin or with limited spread to local lymph nodes.
In Nigeria, our study sites are in the North (Kano) and Southwest (Ibadan), purposively selected to cover ethnic, religious and culturally diverse populations. Kano, the second largest city in Nigeria with over 4 million people, is predominantly Muslim and mainly inhabited by people of Hausa ethnicity. Ibadan is the third largest city with a population of 3.7 million with Christianity and Islam being the dominant religions. In Kenya, our study sites are Kimabu and Nairobi County with a population of ~5 million.
Map imagery showing the different partners and locations in Nigeria and Kenya. (Nigeria on West – Kano and Ibadan, Kenya on East – Kiambu and Nairobi)
Reducing cancer delays in Sub-Saharan Africa project team
Reducing cancer delays in Sub-Saharan Africa project team travel to Nairobi for standard patient training March 25
Project team travel to Naivasha for project meeting before WP5 January 2026