In a bid to revolutionize cancer care, President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to commission three state-of-the-art cancer centres on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in the first phase of a broader plan to establish ten new cancer centres across the country.
The new facilities located at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu (Southeast), the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (South-South), and the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina (Northwest), will complement existing centres in Lagos, Abuja, and Sokoto, forming a comprehensive oncology network aimed at drastically improving access to diagnostics and treatment across the country.
In a broadcast message on his X handle, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammadu Pate, described the initiative as the largest investment in cancer care in the history of Nigeria and West Africa.
“These centers are equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technology sourced from global leaders and mark a decisive step towards reducing medical tourism,” Prof Pate said.
To ensure quality service delivery, Prof Pate confirmed that the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and its health services subsidiary Medserve, will train up to 500 clinicians over the next three years, who were expected to serve 2,000 oncology and 350,000 diagnostic clients annually.
He also confirmed that the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital will receive new equipment to replace its damaged cancer center, through a $1 million donation from the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, with expedited delivery coordinated by renowned equipment manufacturer Elekta.
Recognising the financial burden cancer treatment places on families, the Health Minister said the government earmarked N20 billion in the 2025 federal budget to establish a new Catastrophic Health Fund under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to cover illnesses such as cancer, kidney disease, and spinal injuries, to ease the economic burden on families.
“While key staff of the institutions are presently being trained in South Africa ahead of full institutional operationalisation, I am delighted to inform you that the National Health Insurance Authority has launched a cost-sharing initiative to improve access to cancer care by subsidising up to N400,000 for eligible disadvantaged patients undergoing radiotherapy, and by extension, helping to reduce the financial burden of treatment,” The Minister stated.
Prof Pate reiterated the President’s unwavering commitment to affordable, accessible, and world-class healthcare for all Nigerians, saying “our hope is truly being renewed.”
RN
