FG to Launch Three Cancer Centres in Katsina, Enugu, Edo

By Friday Obande

In a bid to combat the increasing spread of cancer across the country, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, says three centres will be inaugurated in Katsina, Enugu and Edo states by Federal Government.

The minister gave the assurance it will be the “largest investment in cancer care ever undertaken by a Nigerian administration.”

In his explanation, the initiative will train up to 500 clinicians in the next three years and is envisaged to serve about 2,000 oncology patients and 350,000 diagnostic clients annually.

He said, “As His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, marks the midpoint of his first term in office, I am honoured to announce the most ambitious investment in cancer care ever undertaken by a Nigerian administration: the establishment of West Africa’s largest network of oncology and diagnostic centres,” the statement reads.

“This milestone initiative will train up to 500 clinicians over the next three years and is projected to serve approximately 2,000 oncology patients and 350,000 diagnostic clients annually.”

Pate also mentioned that the facilities will be located at: Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina; the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nsukka and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Accordingly, he said the initiative will also allow eligible disadvantaged patients undergoing radiotherapy to receive subsidies of up to N400,000 to ease their financial burdens.

“In the coming days, three newly built cancer centers — there would be a total of six — at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina; the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nsukka; and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital will be formally commissioned by Mr. President and opened for public access—ushering in a new era of specialised care across the country,” Pate said.

“To ensure seamless and sustained operations, key institutional personnel are currently undergoing advanced clinical and technical training in South Africa. Simultaneously, the National Health Insurance Authority has launched a targeted cost-sharing programme to expand access to cancer treatment.

“Guided by the compassionate and reform-driven leadership of President Tinubu, and in full alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda #RenewedHope, we are dismantling longstanding barriers—both on the supply and demand sides—to ensure that quality, affordable cancer care becomes a national standard, not an exception.”

“The launch of the centres will take place on May 29,” said the minister.