By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Federal Government has launched a N50 million Cancer Support Fund to ease the financial burden of treatment for indigent cancer patients and improve access to care across the country.
The initiative, introduced in partnership with stakeholders in the cancer care sector, is designed to provide direct financial assistance to vulnerable patients facing challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment, while complementing ongoing efforts to strengthen cancer care services nationwide.
Speaking on the programme, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said many cancer patients face costs beyond medical treatment, including transportation, accommodation and feeding expenses, which often affect their ability to access care.
“All those who have applied and have been verified will be getting at least one hundred thousand naira to address some of the non-medical barriers to accessing cancer care in their respective health facilities.”
Salako noted that despite government investments in cancer treatment infrastructure and efforts to subsidise care, many patients are still unable to begin or complete treatment because of economic and social constraints.
The fund is expected to complement existing interventions under the National Cancer Health Fund and the Nigeria Cancer Access Partnership, which have supported thousands of patients through subsidised medicines, diagnostic services and treatment programmes.
The minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to improving cancer outcomes and ensuring that patients have access to the support they need.
“To fellow Nigerians battling one cancer diagnosis or another, I want to assure you that this administration is committed to ensuring that your diagnosis does not become a death sentence,” he said.
“This is being pursued through a multi-pronged approach that includes promoting early diagnosis through free screening services, expanding treatment infrastructure, subsidising chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and providing support to help patients access needed care,” he added.
The Nigeria Cancer Society described the initiative as a timely intervention, noting that the rising cost of cancer care continues to place significant pressure on patients and their families.
According to the society, the programme will help beneficiaries meet not only treatment-related expenses but also transportation, nutritional and other support needs that can influence treatment outcomes.
The latest intervention forms part of broader government efforts to reduce the country’s cancer burden. Authorities have set a target of reducing the impact of cancer by 50 per cent by 2030 through expanded screening, improved diagnosis, enhanced treatment services and survivorship programmes.
Cancer remains one of the leading non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, with health experts repeatedly highlighting late diagnosis and the high cost of treatment as major factors contributing to poor outcomes and preventable deaths.
Stakeholders in the health sector have long advocated increased financial support for patients, alongside stronger public-private partnerships, as critical steps toward improving survival rates and expanding access to quality cancer care.
The N50 million Cancer Support Fund is expected to provide relief for vulnerable patients while reinforcing ongoing efforts to make cancer treatment more accessible and affordable across the country.