Prof. Beatrice Ohaeri is a Professional nurse and HOD, Department of Medical – Surgical Nursing, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Her research focus centers on three interlinked domains critical to advancing cancer care in West Africa: psycho-oncology, women’s health, and oncology nursing leadership for policy influence.
In psycho-oncology, she investigates the psychological, social, and behavioral dimensions of the cancer journey, addressing distress, depression, anxiety, coping, survivorship and quality of life for patients and their caregivers. This work acknowledges that effective cancer care must integrate mental health and social support — a concept supported by evidence that nurses in Africa often lack adequate training in psychosocial care, despite being ideally positioned to provide it.
Her women’s health emphasises gender-sensitive, culturally appropriate cancer care. Recognizing that women with cancer often face unique psycho-social, health literacy, and resource-access challenges, she advocates for tailored interventions — particularly in breast and reproductive-related cancers — that respect sociocultural contexts and empower women through knowledge, support, and survivorship resources.
Complementing these is her focus on building capacity among oncology Clinicians — not only to deliver quality clinical and psychosocial care, but to become influential leaders and policy-makers in cancer management and control. Such leadership is essential in regions where national cancer control plans often under-prioritize psychosocial care and survivorship support.
Through research, training, and advocacy, she seeks to create holistic cancer care framework in West Africa — one that integrates physical treatment, mental and social support, palliative, gender-sensitive care and sustainable health-system leadership to improve outcomes, quality of life, and equity in cancer control.
