The Federal Government has approved the procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators to strengthen cancer treatment and expand access to radiotherapy services across Nigeria.
The machines are expected to be procured between 2027 and 2029 as part of efforts to increase the country’s capacity to treat cancer patients.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this in Abuja while receiving members of the Global Advisory Council of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group.
Salako said the approval formed part of the government’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.
He also disclosed that work was ongoing on six cancer centres across the country, with three already completed and construction continuing at the remaining three.
The minister said the government was placing greater emphasis on cancer prevention and early detection alongside treatment.
“Prevention is better and cheaper than cure. We are doing everything possible to expand routine immunisation, broaden screening and improve early detection,” Salako said.
He said the inclusion of human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccination in routine immunisation was among measures being implemented to prevent cervical cancer.
The government is also expanding cervical cancer screening and making selected services available at primary and secondary healthcare levels.
As part of the broader cancer control strategy, Salako inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium, which is expected to bring healthcare professionals and other stakeholders together to improve the management of blood cancers.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said stronger collaboration among stakeholders would be essential to improving cancer outcomes in Nigeria.
Chairman of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group, Prof. Folakemi Odedina, said the initiative had brought together Nigerian cancer experts at home and abroad, healthcare providers, researchers, patients, advocates and international partners.
Odedina said the group was also working to strengthen cancer research and establish a more effective national system for oncology clinical trials.
She added that partnerships with leading cancer institutions globally would help Nigerian institutions improve their capacity in cancer research and treatment.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a strategic partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group and the Global Advisory Council.
The government said the partnership would support implementation of the national cancer control agenda and improve outcomes for Nigerians living with cancer.
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