Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr.Tunji Alausa, has announced the Federal Government’s  plan to construct  six new cancer healthcare centres within the period  of  three years.

The Minister  made this announcement on  Tuesday, 6th February, 2024, while speaking  at a symposium organized  by the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare in Abuja.

Alausa  mentioned that  the cancer centre would  be built  in the Ahmadu Bello University  Teaching Hospital;

Zaria,  University  of Nigeria; Teaching Hospital Enugu; Lagos University  Teaching Hospital, Lagos;

 Federal  Teaching Hospital, Katsina; University of Jos Teaching Hospital and University of Benin  Teaching Hospital, Benin.

He further  informed that N20 billion had been  secured for the construction  of the  Cancer Centres in the country within the next three years.

Briefing the Media, the Minister stated that these  Centre were Strategically  placed  in the Six geopolitical  Zones with the aim of  enhancing  accessibility and prompt cancer response  and treatment.  “Sadly, the value of the money has depreciated because of the rising inflation,” he noted.

“We had to make Presentation  to the President  and National Assembly for additional  budgetary allocation  to build the cancer Centres,” he mentioned.

In her opening remarks, Permanent Secretary, FMOH &SW  Kachollom  Daju mni  disclosed  that the government has signed circulars making it mandatory for all cancer patients  in our Tertiary  Health  Institutions  to be  reviewed by a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board (MDT) for positive cancer treatment.

She added that the Ministry is making frantic efforts  to ensure that relevant policies  and guidelines are available  to guide all the healthcare workers  to provide  quality  services.

Daju reiterated  that the Ministry is working assiduously to ensure the best range of infrastructure  and anti-cancer medicine are provided for optional treatment  outcomes of cancer patients  in the country.

This year’s Cancer Day commenmoration was witnessed by representative of Muilti-national  Development Partners; Non-Governmental  Organizations; Pharmaceutical Companies; Captain’s  of Medical Centres among others.