FG to Build Six Cancer Centres for Early Detection and Treatment
Omoyeni Olabode
The Federal Government is establishing six Cancer Centre of Excellence across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones to enhance early detection and comprehensive treatment. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced that three centres—located in Katsina, Nsukka (UNTH Enugu), and Benin—will be commissioned in May 2025, with the remaining three to open by World Cancer Day 2026 .
These units will be equipped with modern radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities, including brachytherapy machines and linear accelerators, along with PET/CT scanners to enable precise diagnosis and care . The initiative builds on prior efforts, including the procurement of treatment equipment under the Tinubu administration and the commissioning of regional screening centres in partnership with NICRAT.
The government also launched the Cancer Health Fund, subsidised through partnerships with pharmaceutical firms and supported by health insurance schemes, to make screening and treatment more accessible. This includes the rollout of OncoSeek blood-based testing and increased HPV and hepatitis vaccinations as preventative strategies.
With nearly ₦20–37 billion committed from the federal budget and Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority backing, these centres will be hosted at UNTH Enugu, ABU Zaria, UBTH Benin, FTH Katsina, JUTH Jos, and LUTH Lagos. The rollout aims to position Nigeria to provide timely, high-quality cancer care nationwide by 2030, addressing a critical need in reducing late-stage diagnoses and mortality.
Share to:
Comments
This post has no comments yet.
Be the first to comment!