FG, NCIF move to raise funds for cancer patients nationwide

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The federal government and the National Cancer Intervention Fund (NCIF) have commenced efforts to mobilize funds for the treatment of cancer patients across Nigeria’s 36 states.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Adekunle Salako, inaugurated the NCIF Governing Board to address the rising out-of-pocket expenses borne by cancer patients and the broader social and economic impact of the disease.

Speaking at a two-day retreat, the Chairman of the NCIF Governing Council, Dr. Gafar Alawode, said the initiative became necessary due to the increasing number of cancer cases in Nigeria and Africa, coupled with the unaffordability of treatment and limited government resources for cancer care, research, and capacity building.

According to Alawode, “Cancer resonates with almost every household, as we all have a story to tell about parents, siblings, children, and friends who were afflicted with the disease. Nearly all of us have a sorrowful tale of family members who were taken away by cancer after their families had suffered, borrowed money, and been thrown into deeper poverty.”

He warned that cancer deaths could double in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2050 if urgent action is not taken, stressing the need for evidence-based strategies to guide the NCIF’s operations and ensure effective, efficient, and equitable use of resources.

The National President of the Nigeria Cancer Society, Professor Abidemi Omonisi, expressed confidence in the NCIF leadership to deliver on its mandate and reduce the cancer burden nationwide.

The retreat also adopted a resource mobilization framework featuring the proposed “100 by 37” and “10 by 774” initiatives, designed to raise at least ₦100 million annually from each state government and ₦10 million from each local government area.

It further outlined plans to attract additional funding from private sector partners and Nigerians in the diaspora to strengthen cancer treatment, research, and support services across the country.