The Federal Government has finalised plans to establish and upgrade six Federal Teaching Hospitals with new radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities across the country.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, revealed while addressing journalists in commemoration of the 2025 World Cancer Day, held at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Marked annually on February 4, this year’s theme is: “United by Unique” with emphasis on “United in Our Goals, Unique In Our Needs”.
In his speech, Salako highlighted efforts and avowed commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for cancer prevention and care in Nigeria.
He said: “The government has made substantial investment in cancer prevention and care within the last 18 months than any other administration in the history of our country.”
Aligning therefore with its National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), the ministry has recorded notable achievements in tackling cancers through primary prevention, vaccination, early detection and, prompt treatment, he stated.
He affirmed the upgrading of six Federal Teaching Hospitals with new Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine facilities will eliminate cervical cancers and other preventable cancers by the year 2030.
Riding on the above WHO global target, Salako stated, three of the centres are planned for commissioning in May 2025 and the remaining three will be commissioned on or before the 2026 World Cancer Day.
Additionally, the Federal government, he noted, through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has developed a policy plan to implement a Catastrophic Health Insurance, that will support patients with end-stage renal diseases, sickle cell disease and cancers.
To actualise the initiative, he said: “The Catastrophic Health Insurance will benefit from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund ( BHCPF) and other funding mechanisms.
“The ministry will give NHIA all the necessary support to seamlessly implement the Catastrophic Health Insurance,” he said.
Speaking further on other unique achievements to address cancer, the minister highlighted the role of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) in leading the Human Papilloma virus vaccination for primary prevention of cancer of the cervix as well, the hepatitis immunisation for prevention of liver cancers.
“We have successfully immunised over 12 million girls for Human Papilloma virus and effort is ongoing to improve on the successes recorded so far,” Salako enthused.
On the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), the minister disclosed that the body is working to ensure ease of access to the cancer health fund, expand its scope in terms of the types of cancers covered, including the health institutions where they can be accessed.
A major highlight of the ministerial press briefing commemorating the 2025 World Cancer Day was the inauguration of a 35-member National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group (NM-TWG) by the minister to further strengthen the government’s commitment to disease management, including cancer.
While inaugurating the specialised technical committee, Salako stated that it would serve as an advisory body to the ministry on the development of Nuclear Medicine and the implementation of Nuclear Medicine services in the country.
The NM-TWG, chaired by Dr. Ololade Kehinde, will comprise Nuclear Medicine physicians, regulatory institutions and agencies involved in cancer care, financing and research bodies, civil society groups, equipment manufacturers, other relevant professional bodies and, cancer advocates.
During the press briefing, several goodwill messages were delivered by international development and implementing partners, as well as multilateral agencies and non-governmental organisations whom the mnister commended for supporting Nigeria to improve cancer care in Nigeria.
Salako particularly acknowledged and praised the World Health Organisation (WHO) for including Nigeria as a focal country for Global Initiative for Childhood Cancers (GICC), which was conveyed via a memorandum sent to the ministry.
The import of this inclusion, he noted, is to support Nigeria in providing cancer care for children.
