The House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards improving cancer care in Nigeria by passing a resolution urging the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to provide free cancer screening nationwide.
The Green Chamber also urged the Federal government to subsidize cancer treatment, citing the high cost and growing number of cases.
The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Mr Aderemi Oseni, who noted that cancer is a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with 125,000 people diagnosed in 2020.
The resolution Aims to facilitate early detection and treatment of cancer, address the financial burden of cancer care on low-income families.
Mr. Oseni expressed concern over the exorbitant costs of treatment, ranging from tens of millions of naira to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, leading to financial difficulties for patients due to expensive cancer drugs and limited radiation therapy machines.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to establish a subsidy mechanism for cancer treatment and related drugs.