The Federal Government has expanded financial support and insurance coverage for cancer patients while investing in local drug production and clinical trials to improve access to affordable cancer care.
FG Expands Cancer Patient Support Funds
The Federal Government has expanded financial support for cancer patients through health funds and insurance schemes, according to Punch Newspapers.
NICRAT Director-General Prof. Usman Malami said the Catastrophic Health Fund and National Cancer Health Fund now subsidise diagnosis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for eligible patients, while a presidential initiative pushes local drug production.
Officials also announced Nigeria has begun three immunotherapy clinical trials, offering drugs like Nivolumab and Keytruda free to participants.
Nigeria records an estimated 127,000 new cancer cases and nearly 80,000 deaths annually, one of the highest burdens in sub-Saharan Africa.
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