The federal government has approved the purchase of 35 extra linear accelerators as part of efforts to increase access to cancer treatment across the country.
The accelerators, which is planned to be purchased between 2027 and 2029, will improve the country’s ability to provide radiotherapy services to cancer patients.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, minister of state for health and social welfare, made the announcement in Abuja while meeting with members of the Global Advisory Council of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group.
Salako stated that the permission TO BUY THE accelerators was part of the government’s effort to improve cancer care under the National Cancer Control effort 2026-2030.
He also stated that work was underway on six cancer centers across the country, with three now completed and the remaining three under construction.
According to the minister, the government is also putting more emphasis on cancer prevention and early detection, rather than just treating patients once they have been diagnosed.
“Prevention is better and cheaper than cure. We are doing everything possible to expand routine immunization, broaden screening, and improve early detection,” Salako said.
He stated that including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in routine immunization was one of the techniques utilized to prevent cervical cancer.
He stated that the government is extending cervical cancer screening and making some screening services available at the primary and secondary healthcare levels in order to detect the disease earlier.
Salako also launched the Blood Cancer Consortium, a platform that aims to bring together health experts and other stakeholders to better blood cancer management in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, greeted the team and stated that improved collaboration among stakeholders is critical to improving cancer outcomes in the country.
Prof. Folakemi Odedina, Chairman of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group, stated that the initiative brought together Nigerian cancer experts from home and abroad, healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, activists, and foreign partners.
Odedina stated that the technical working group was also striving to improve cancer research and create a more efficient national framework for oncology clinical trials.
She also stated that collaborations with prominent cancer institutions around the world would help Nigerian institutions increase their capability for cancer research and treatment.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a strategic cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group and the Global Advisory Council.
The government stated that the collaboration would help to implement the country’s cancer control program and enhance results for Nigerians living with cancer.
