- Tinubu Approves 35 Linear Accelerators to Expand Cancer Treatment
- Six Cancer Centres Underway
- Ize-Iyamu said the cancer health fund provides approved indigent patients with specified treatment privileges
President Bola Tinubu has approved the procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators between 2027 and 2029 as part of efforts to expand access to radiotherapy and improve cancer treatment capacity across Nigeria.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this when he received members of the Global Advisory Council of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group.
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Salako said the investment formed part of the Federal Government’s implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, which focuses on strengthening cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.
He also disclosed that 6 cancer centres were being developed across the country, with 3 already completed and the remaining 3 under construction.
According to the minister, the government is also expanding cervical cancer screening and integrating selected screening services into primary and secondary healthcare facilities to improve early detection.
He said the approval of Human Papillomavirus vaccination as part of routine immunisation was another major step towards preventing cervical cancer, adding that the government had established a Cervical Cancer Elimination Council.
“Prevention is better and cheaper than cure. We are doing everything possible to expand routine immunisation, broaden screening and improve early detection,” Salako said.
The minister also inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium, describing it as a platform designed to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and improve outcomes in the management of blood cancers.
Meanwhile, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has urged cancer patients, particularly indigent Nigerians, to apply for the hospital’s Federal Government-backed cancer health fund to reduce the financial burden associated with treatment.
The Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, made the appeal during a facility tour conducted for the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, journalists and members of the hospital’s management.
Ize-Iyamu said the cancer health fund provides approved indigent patients with specified treatment privileges, although she stressed that the support was not available to every cancer patient.
The tour covered several facilities at the teaching hospital, including a 65-bed Accident and Emergency complex, renovated security facilities, an expanded mortuary upgraded from 72 to 460 chillers, renal dialysis units, a child-friendly paediatric clinic, an oxygen plant, geriatric ward, 160-slice CT scan, dental and oncology centres and upgraded theatre facilities.
Ize-Iyamu said the hospital remained committed to improving access to specialised healthcare while ensuring that financial constraints did not prevent vulnerable patients from receiving necessary treatment.
FURTHER READING
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