The Federal Government has introduced a new plan with the National Health Insurance Authority to help low-income cancer patients. They will now get up to N400,000 to support the cost of radiotherapy treatment.
Radiotherapy is a type of cancer treatment where doctors use special radiation to kill cancer cells in the body.
The government also plans to build new cancer treatment centres in cities like Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, and Yola.
This follows the opening of three new cancer centres in Katsina, Nsukka, and Benin, which happened last Thursday.
The new centres will also train over 500 cancer specialists over the next three years. This is being done through a partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and its healthcare branch, MedServe.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the cost-sharing plan with the NHIA will help low-income patients by giving up to N400,000 for radiotherapy.
The ministry also said that the new cancer centres will treat over 2,000 cancer patients each year and offer diagnostic services to more than 350,000 people across the country.
The government said this is a big step for Nigeria’s health sector. It opened three advanced cancer centres in Katsina, Nsukka, and Benin to improve cancer care and fight non-communicable diseases.
These centres are located at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Nsukka, and University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The opening ceremony was attended by top government officials, including the Health Minister, Finance Minister, and Information Minister.
Each centre is equipped with modern machines for diagnosing and treating cancer. Each one is expected to care for more than 2,000 cancer patients every year and provide testing services for over 350,000 people.
This is just the first step in a bigger plan. By 2026, the government aims to build 10 cancer centres under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on making healthcare more affordable and accessible.
Seven more centres are in the works and are expected to open by World Cancer Day in 2026.
The new locations will include Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Yola, and other key cities.The ministry said, “Together, we are building a healthier future — one centre at a time.”
