Nigerian Government Launches N50m Fund to Support Cancer Patients

The Federal Government has introduced a N50 million Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) Fund aimed at assisting cancer patients who face financial and social challenges that hinder access to treatment.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced the initiative during the official launch of the programme in Abuja.

According to the minister, the fund is intended to support cancer patients with non-medical expenses that often prevent them from beginning or completing treatment. These include transportation costs, accommodation, feeding and other social needs that can significantly affect access to care.

“No patient should be denied the opportunity to receive cancer treatment because of financial or social barriers beyond medical costs,” Salako stated.

He explained that despite improvements in cancer care services and government efforts to subsidize treatment, many patients continue to experience hardships that delay treatment, interrupt care and worsen health outcomes.

Salako noted that the creation of the fund followed recommendations made by the Technical Working Group responsible for developing the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.

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He commended the team’s leadership, including Professor Folakemi Odedina and the Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Professor Malami Aliyu, for their dedication and resource mobilization efforts that contributed to the establishment of the initiative.

The minister said the intervention aligns with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s commitment to addressing social and economic factors that influence health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations.

He added that the pilot programme will work alongside existing government initiatives such as the Cancer Health Fund, Cancer Access Partnership, Vulnerable Group Fund and the Nigerian Cancer Society Cancer Intervention Fund.

As part of the rollout, the government has committed an initial N50 million to the programme to support eligible beneficiaries nationwide.

Salako disclosed that more than 600 cancer patients have already submitted applications for assistance, while over 200 have successfully completed the verification process conducted through medical directors and attending physicians in treatment centres across the country.

Under the programme, each verified beneficiary will receive a minimum of N100,000 to help cover essential non-medical expenses associated with treatment. The funds will be paid directly to patients to ensure timely support and improve treatment completion rates.

The minister also called on private sector organisations, philanthropists and development partners to contribute to the initiative, describing it as a platform for collective action against the growing burden of cancer in Nigeria.

He urged administrators of the fund to maintain the highest standards of transparency, accountability and proper oversight in managing resources entrusted to the programme.

Reaffirming the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to improving cancer care, Salako said government is expanding access to cancer screening, strengthening treatment facilities and increasing support for chemotherapy and radiotherapy services.

He stressed that ongoing investments are aimed at ensuring that a cancer diagnosis does not automatically translate into a poor outcome for patients.

Launched during Cancer Survivors Month, the fund is expected to provide critical support for patients while demonstrating solidarity with cancer survivors and healthcare stakeholders working to reduce the impact of the disease nationwide.

Salako reiterated the government’s goal of reducing Nigeria’s cancer burden by 50 percent before the end of the decade, expressing confidence that the new fund would contribute significantly to improving treatment access and quality of life for cancer patients.