‘Stage-four cancer doesn’t mean hospitals are refusing to treat Ogogo’ – Doctor clarifies
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By Confidence Obiahu & Blessing Ochariveh
A medical doctor, health communicator and digital health entrepreneur, Dr. Olusina Ajidahun, has clarified the controversy surrounding the treatment of veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.
It will be recalled that the controversy arose following concerns raised by Ogogo’s daughters that hospitals were refusing to continue treating their father, who is battling stage-four cancer.
The actor’s daughters, Lima and Kira Taiwo, recently appealed to Nigerians and medical professionals for help, saying their father urgently needed medical attention.
Their appeal sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many expressing concern about the actor’s condition.
But Ajidahun, known as The Bearded Dr Sina on X, said the description of the actor’s situation shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as hospitals abandoning or refusing to treat the actor.
“Stage-four cancer means the disease has spread from its original site to other parts of the body, and at that point, the treatment approach may change, depending on the type of cancer, how far it has spread and the patient’s overall condition,” he said.
He explained that doctors may recommend palliative care when aggressive treatment is no longer considered beneficial or safe for a patient.
According to him, the aim of palliative care is to control pain and other symptoms, improve comfort and help the patient maintain the best possible quality of life.
“When patients have stage 4 cancer and chemo and/or other therapies have been explored. There is a form of care called palliative care which is end-of-life care and care for terminal diseases because at the
point of the disease you cannot treat it, but you can manage associated symptoms and give the person a good quality of life before death,” he remarked.
The doctor further cautioned that describing the situation as a deliberate refusal by hospitals could create a negative perception of healthcare workers and potentially expose medical personnel to hostility.
“Saying they don’t want to treat my father makes it look like they are intentionally rejecting him, and in the context of recent happenings in the health sector, it can trigger an insurrection and put a bad label on health care workers,” he said.
He stressed that moving a patient to palliative care doesn’t mean medical treatment has been withdrawn.
Rather, it may reflect a change in the goal of care, particularly when doctors believe further aggressive treatment could cause more harm than benefit.
The doctor also warned against relying on unverified herbal remedies as an alternative to medical treatment for advanced cancer.
He cautioned that herbal preparations promoted as cancer cures could cause further damage to vital organs and interfere with proper medical management.
He urged Ogogo’s family to continue working closely with qualified healthcare professionals rather than turning to unproven remedies.
Ajidahun has previously spoken publicly about the dangers of excessive consumption of herbal concoctions, warning that some preparations can damage the liver, kidneys and other vital organs.
Meanwhile, Ogogo’s condition has continued to attract support from colleagues and members of the public.
Actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo, among others, has called on medical professionals and facilities capable of reviewing the actor’s medical records and providing appropriate treatment options to assist the family.
The development has also renewed public discussion about cancer care in Nigeria, particularly the need for early diagnosis, access to specialist treatment and a proper understanding of palliative care.
Although stage-four cancer is generally regarded as an advanced disease, medical experts note that treatment options may still be available, depending on the type and extent of the cancer and the patient’s overall health.
As concerns over Ogogo’s health persist, the medical advice remains that decisions about his treatment should be made by qualified specialists based on his medical records, diagnosis and current condition, rather than on unverified claims or herbal remedies
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