FG unveils N50m support fund for cancer patients

The Federal Government has unveiled a N50 million Social Determinants of Health Fund for cancer patients, aimed at helping vulnerable Nigerians overcome non-medical barriers that often prevent them from accessing or completing cancer treatment.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, announced the initiative on Wednesday during the official unveiling of the fund’s disbursement in Abuja.

Salako said the initiative was designed to provide timely, equitable and accountable support to cancer patients struggling with challenges such as transportation costs, accommodation, feeding and inadequate social support, which frequently hinder access to care.

According to him, more than 600 cancer patients have already applied for assistance under the scheme, while over 200 applicants have been verified through a screening process involving medical directors and attending physicians in the facilities where they receive treatment.

He disclosed that verified beneficiaries would receive at least N100,000 each to help address some of the social and economic barriers associated with cancer treatment.

“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will provide fifty million naira as government’s initial contribution to the Social Determinants of Health Fund for cancer patients,” the minister said.

He added that disbursement would be made directly to beneficiaries to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

Salako noted that while the government had invested significantly in expanding cancer care infrastructure, subsidising treatment and improving public awareness, many patients still struggle to commence or complete treatment because of the indirect costs associated with care.

He explained that transportation expenses, accommodation in urban centres where specialised services are available, food insecurity and lack of family support often contribute to delayed treatment, poor adherence to therapy and unfavourable outcomes.

According to the minister, these challenges disproportionately affect low-income and vulnerable Nigerians, who make up a significant proportion of cancer patients in the country.

He described social determinants of health as a major contributor to the catastrophic financial burden associated with cancer treatment globally.

The minister said the initiative emerged from recommendations of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group established following the launch of Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.

The working group is chaired by Folakemi Odedina, with Malami Aliyu serving as co-chair.

Salako commended members of the group for what he described as their patriotism and commitment, revealing that they had made personal donations amounting to millions of naira to kick-start the fund.

He urged the group to work closely with existing government programmes to improve financial protection for cancer patients.

The minister said the new intervention would complement existing initiatives such as the Cancer Health Fund, Cancer Access Partnership, Vulnerable Group Fund and the NCS Cancer Intervention Fund.

Beyond government funding, Salako said the initiative was designed to attract contributions from corporate organisations, high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic donors to bridge financing gaps in cancer care.

He stressed the need for transparency, accountability and due diligence in the management and disbursement of the fund.

“I will like to admonish the managers of the fund to ensure due diligence, transparency and accountability in its disbursement,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing Nigeria’s cancer burden by 50 per cent by 2030 through expanded prevention, screening and treatment services.

He said the government was pursuing a multi-pronged strategy that includes free cancer screening programmes, expansion of treatment infrastructure, subsidised chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, and improved patient support mechanisms.

Addressing cancer patients across the country, Salako assured them that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was determined to ensure that a cancer diagnosis does not become a death sentence.

Cancer remains one of Nigeria’s leading causes of death, with thousands of new cases diagnosed annually. Health experts have repeatedly raised concerns over late presentation, limited access to specialised treatment centres and the high out-of-pocket costs borne by patients and their families.

Although recent government interventions have focused on improving access to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and cancer screening services, advocates have argued that non-medical costs such as transportation, accommodation and feeding remain major obstacles to treatment, particularly for patients travelling long distances to tertiary health facilities.

The newly launched Social Determinants of Health Fund is expected to provide a safety net for indigent patients while supporting the broader implementation of Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.