The Federal Government has approved new radiotherapy machines and nuclear medicine facilities for six tertiary health institutions to improve cancer care in the country.
Kacheloem Daju, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, while addressing a gathering at the Cancer Day event, said the move was to scale up cancer treatment and care services, especially for indigent Nigerians.
Globally, cancer is a major health problem, with an estimated 10 million incidences and 6 million cancer deaths annually. In Nigeria, an estimated 72,000 cancer deaths occur annually, and 102,000 new cases are diagnosed.
This is why the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Kacheloem Daju underscored the government’s commitment to cancer care and control, in line with the 4-point agenda of the Ministry of Health and the renewed hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“I am pleased to inform you that Mr President has approved the provision of new radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities for six federal teaching health institutions across the country in the 2024 appropriation. The ministry is partnering with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority to ensure prompt execution of the project.”
She listed areas of focus for the ministry to include primary prevention of cancer through vaccination, early detection, and prompt treatment and research.
The Permanent Secretary then urged Nigerians to adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent the surge of cancer.
The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof Usman Malami Aliyu highlighted the giant strides of the institute, such as the establishment of the cancer health fund and counterpart funding for childhood cancer care.
“The commitment shown by the government under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been evident through various initiatives aimed at enhancing cancer care, including the substantial improvement in the Cancer Health Fund, the introduction of the Childhood Cancer counterparts fund, and the procurement of new radiotherapy equipment across cancer treatment centers in our nation.
Our goal is to ensure that children battling cancer receive the specialized care and attention they need to overcome this devastating disease.”
Prof Malami said the institute is prioritizing cancer awareness and education, lifestyle modification, and cancer screening services.
It also focuses on early detection, cancer prevention, and the provision of effective treatment services for the best quality of life for cancer patients, especially the indigent ones, which is mainly the reason for the establishment of the cancer health fund.’
The CMD of the National Hospital Abuja, Dr Mahmmod Raji, while calling for the establishment of more cancer treatment centers, lauded the government’s efforts at setting up a cancer center at the UMTH, Borno State, and the planned upgrade of FMC Jabi Abuja to accommodate cancer patients.
He said the move would relieve patients who travel long distances to access cancer treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Discover more from NATIONAL BEAM
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
