In a major move aimed at strengthening cancer care in Nigeria, the House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to implement free cancer screening services across the country.
The House, popularly known as the Green Chamber, also called on the Federal Government to introduce subsidies for cancer treatment, citing the soaring costs and rising number of cancer cases nationwide.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion presented by Hon. Aderemi Oseni, who highlighted that cancer remains a significant public health crisis in Nigeria, with over 125,000 new cases reported in 2020 alone.
Hon. Oseni emphasized that the exorbitant cost of cancer treatment — which can range from millions of naira to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually — has left many families financially devastated. He also pointed to the limited availability of essential cancer treatment facilities such as radiation therapy machines, further compounding the burden on patients.
In response, the House mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services to partner with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to develop a comprehensive subsidy mechanism for cancer treatments and related medications.
This resolution aims to promote early detection through nationwide free screening, ease the financial strain on affected families, and improve access to life-saving treatments for thousands of Nigerians.
