The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has doubled Nigeria’s capacity for cancer care and treatment. This milestone was revealed during the commissioning of a state-of-the-art radiotherapy and oncology centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina.
Professor Pate described the commissioning as a significant leap towards building a resilient healthcare system that truly serves the needs of Nigerians. He emphasized that the new centre will play a crucial role in reducing both the human and financial burden of cancer, which affects over 127,000 Nigerians annually.
Highlighting the importance of prevention and early detection, the Health Minister disclosed plans to establish 350 diagnostic centres nationwide. He also announced that a Catastrophic Health Insurance Fund will be incorporated into the 2025 national budget to offer financial relief to cancer patients.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised President Tinubu’s bold reforms in the health sector. He said the world-class cancer facility is a clear demonstration of the dividends of democracy and a step towards reducing medical tourism.
Idris noted that the new centre will not only improve access to quality cancer treatment but will also drive industrialization in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. He commended the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and other key stakeholders for their contributions.
The Katsina Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre is the first of six specialized cancer treatment facilities planned under the Tinubu administration. The N40 billion project is a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NSIA, aimed at expanding critical healthcare infrastructure and delivering world-class medical services within Nigeria.
