The Nigerian government has announced the completion of three new cancer centres which will serve nearly 2,000 oncology patients and 350,000 diagnostic clients annually, as part of efforts to expand cancer care access nationwide
Penpushing reports that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the facilities, located at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nsukka; and University of Benin Teaching Hospital, are set to be commissioned on May 29, 2025.
The Coordinating pointed out that these centres form the first phase of what is projected to be the largest chain of oncology and diagnostic centres in West Africa, adding that it is also expected to train up to 500 clinicians over three years.
Penpushing further reports that he explained that key institutional staff are currently undergoing training before the centres’ full operational launch, stressing that the government has not disclosed when the remaining seven cancer centres in the planned 10-centre network will be completed.
The Minister assured that this new development is taking steps toward building a sustainable framework for cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, across all income groups, explaining that to address cost barriers that often prevent timely cancer diagnosis and treatment, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has introduced a cost-sharing scheme.
Penpushing also reports that Pate, said the programme provides up to N400,000 in financial support for eligible disadvantaged patients undergoing radiotherapy, stressing that this initiative will significantly reduce the financial burden of cancer care and increase access to treatment.
‘This initiative will significantly reduce the financial burden of cancer care and increase access to treatment. Under the compassionate leadership of Mr President and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are removing both supply and demand obstacles to affordable and qualitative cancer care in Nigeria’, he said.
Penpushing reports that Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, and in Nigeria, late diagnosis and high treatment costs continue to worsen outcomes for thousands of patients, especially in underserved regions.
Meanwhile, health experts have consistently called for more investment in infrastructure, subsidised care, and local capacity development to improve survival rates.
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