By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
In its determination to address the various cancer challenges in Nigerian, the federal government on Friday, inaugurated intervention funds committee to tackle cancer challenges in the country.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja, also reconstituted Board of Trustees for the Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS), the N100 billion National Cancer Intervention Fund, the Nigerian Coalition for Cancer Survivors (NCCS) Advisory Board and the New international NCS chapters in the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Southern Africa.
The Minister highlighted the significant role of non-profit organizations and the private sector in driving societal change, noting their service-oriented approach that catalyzes progress.
He called on all Nigerians to contribute to the Cancer Prevention Fund, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in tackling cancer.
Meanwhile, the federal government recently commissioned three advanced oncology centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Benin as part of a broader push to expand cancer care infrastructure and reduce the country’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
The centres—the first phase of a national oncology initiative backed by the President Tinubu administration – are
located at the University of Katsina in Katsina State, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Edo State.
Speaking earlier, President of the Nigeria Cancer Society, Abidemi Omonisi reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to addressing cancer challenges in Nigeria.
He acknowledged that cancer affects everyone and stressed the importance of improving access to cancer care nationwide.
On his part, the Chair of the newly constituted National Cancer Intervention Fund, Gafar Alawode, reiterated the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of the fund.
According to Alawode, the fund’s success depends on its ability to demonstrate transparency and accountability to its stakeholders, particularly the private sector.
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