By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Government of Nigeria said it would revolutionise cancer care treatment in the country with the establishment of the West Africa’s largest network of oncology and diagnostic centres.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammed Ali Pate, who disclosed this in his X handle, ‘@muhammadpate,’ said the initiative marks the most ambitious investment in cancer care ever undertaken by any administration in Nigerian.
He described the establishment of the West Africa’s largest network of oncology and diagnostic centres as a milestone initiative, which will train up to 500 clinicians over the next three years, and is projected to serve approximately 2,000 oncology patients and 350,000 diagnostic clients annually.
“As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks the midpoint of his first term in office, I am honoured to announce the most ambitious investment in cancer care ever undertaken by a Nigerian administration.
“In the coming days, three newly built cancer centres, there would be a total of six, at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nsukka and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital will be formally commissioned by President Tinubu and opened for public access, ushering in a new era of specialised care across the country,” Prof. Pate said.
The minister added that to ensure seamless and sustained operations, key institutional personnel are currently undergoing advanced clinical and technical training in South Africa.
“Simultaneously, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has launched a targeted cost-sharing programme to expand access to cancer treatment. Under this initiative, eligible disadvantaged patients undergoing radiotherapy may receive subsidies of up to N400,000, significantly easing the financial burden on families and improving treatment adherence.”
“Guided by the compassionate and reform-driven leadership of President Tinubu, and in full alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are dismantling longstanding barriers, both on the supply and demand sides, to ensure that quality, affordable cancer care becomes a national standard, not an exception,” he added
Prof. Pate invited the general public to explore the transformative facilities, “and engage with this special briefing on what they mean for the present and future of cancer care in Nigeria.”
He emphasised that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, “aimed at improving Nigeria’s healthcare system.”
