The federal government has announced plans to establish additional cancer centres and enhance funding for treatment to improve healthcare access and reduce burdens for patients across Nigeria.

Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, said this at the 2025 International Cancer Week, hosted by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) on Tuesday in Abuja.

The event’s theme was “Redefining the Future of Cancer: Prevention, Access and Equity for All,” aligning with global efforts to close gaps in cancer care, especially in low-resource settings.

Mr Salako, represented by Wale Junaid, his special assistant on media and strategy, said the government was reviewing recommendations from the Nigeria IMPACT Review report to transform cancer care delivery nationwide.

He said reforms to the National Cancer Health Fund were underway to improve programme efficiency and impact, ensuring better outcomes for cancer patients and reducing treatment delays across the system.

“Additional cancer centres are being considered for establishment, and existing ones are being upgraded to reduce patient loads and the rising burden of cancer nationwide,” the minister said.

Mr Salako emphasised the importance of cancer prevention, equity, and access to healthcare, calling for improved strategies to ensure no Nigerian was left behind in the fight against cancer.

“President Tinubu is committed to ensuring every Nigerian, regardless of status, enjoys access to quality health services. On this promise, there is no going back until it’s fully achieved,” he stated.

Usman Malami-Aliyu, director-general of NICRAT, said that more than 20 memoranda of understanding had been signed with global cancer experts since NICRAT’s inception two years ago.

He said those partnerships had strengthened cancer research capacity, enabling translational and implementation research vital for understanding and managing cancer trends and treatments within the Nigerian context.

Mr Malami-Aliyu announced the launch of the SINCCAR Initiative, which targets institutional cancer research development across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones by providing training, funding, and equipment support for early-career researchers.

“The first phase of the programme has equipped hospitals with cancer-related research tools and delivered capacity-building sessions to researchers within the country’s growing cancer ecosystem.

“NICRAT has also awarded N10 million seed grants per project to successful researchers, promoting impactful, homegrown cancer research for evidence-based interventions,” he noted.

Ibrahim Oloriegbe, chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), called for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, equitable access to cancer care, and the availability of essential medical equipment to improve outcomes and reduce disparities.

Anuja Jinghran, a radiation oncologist from MD Anderson Cancer Centre, U.S, stressed that cervical cancer was preventable but remained the fourth most common cancer affecting women globally.

Mr Jinghran advocated for stronger HPV vaccination policies, improved access to screening, timely treatment of precancerous lesions, and greater advocacy to meet the World Health Organisation cervical cancer elimination goal.

Chioma Uzodinma, First Lady of Imo State and chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), called for an inclusive, sustainable approach to tackling cancer beyond isolated initiatives.

(NAN)