FG approves 35 new linear accelerators to boost cancer treatment

By Damilola Samuel

The Federal Government has approved the procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators as part of efforts to improve access to cancer treatment across the country.

The machines, expected to be procured between 2027 and 2029, will increase the country’s capacity to provide radiotherapy services to 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 was part of the government’s plan to strengthen cancer care under the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.

He also revealed that work was ongoing on six cancer centres across the country, with three already completed and construction continuing on the remaining three.

According to the minister, the government is also placing greater emphasis on preventing cancer and detecting the disease early, rather than focusing only on treatment after diagnosis.

“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 noted that the inclusion of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in routine immunisation was one of the measures being used to prevent cervical cancer.

The government, he added, is expanding cervical cancer screening and making selected screening services available at primary and secondary healthcare levels to help detect the disease earlier.

As part of the broader cancer control efforts, Salako also inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium, a platform expected to bring health professionals and other stakeholders together to improve the management of blood cancers in Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, who welcomed the delegation, said stronger collaboration among stakeholders would be important in improving cancer outcomes in the country.

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 technical working group was also working to strengthen cancer research and develop a more effective national system for oncology clinical trials.

She added that partnerships with major cancer institutions around the world would help Nigerian institutions improve their capacity in cancer research and treatment.

The meeting ended 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 collaboration would support the implementation of the country’s cancer control agenda and improve outcomes for Nigerians living with cancer.

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