President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will, in the coming days, officially commission three newly completed cancer centres. These state-of-the-art facilities mark the Federal Government’s most ambitious investment in specialized healthcare, targeting over 2,000 cancer patients and 350,000 diagnostic services annually.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development on Saturday via his official X handle, describing the initiative as a historic leap in Nigeria’s medical infrastructure. The centres, strategically located at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Nsukka, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, are poised to establish the largest oncology and diagnostic network in the West African sub-region.
This milestone comes as President Tinubu marks the halfway point of his first term, reinforcing his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda. Prof. Pate emphasized that these facilities will not only increase access to critical cancer treatment but will also serve as training grounds for up to 500 clinicians over the next three years, signaling a long-term commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
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To guarantee top-tier service delivery, key staff are currently undergoing advanced clinical and technical training in South Africa, equipping them with the expertise needed to operate the centres at global standards.
In a bold step toward universal health care access, the National Health Insurance Authority has introduced a targeted subsidy scheme for cancer patients. Eligible low-income Nigerians undergoing radiotherapy may now receive up to N400,000 in financial support, a move expected to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the financial strain on vulnerable families.
Backed by the N37.4 billion allocated in the 2024 national budget for the Federal Ministry of Health’s oncology initiative, this effort represents a major policy shift. It positions Nigeria as a leader in government-led cancer care across Africa and signals a serious attempt to reverse the country’s growing medical tourism trend by providing affordable, high-quality treatment at home.
Cancer remains a top cause of non-communicable disease-related deaths in Nigeria, with limited diagnostic and treatment facilities historically hampering efforts to address the crisis.
As the countdown to the official commissioning begins, Nigerians are witnessing what could be the start of a new era in the country’s healthcare system.