The Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) has appealed to the National Assembly to increase the Cancer Health Fund allocation from N150 million to N1 billion in the 2025 budget.
The appeal was made by the NCS President, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, as the organization commemorates World Cancer Day. Omonisi highlighted the financial burden of cancer treatment on patients and the inadequacies of the national health insurance scheme in covering cancer care.
According to Omonisi, cancer treatment is capital-intensive, with patients spending an average of N20 million from diagnosis to stabilization. He noted that the current allocation of N150 million would only cover less than 20 patients, making it grossly inadequate to address the rising number of cancer cases in Nigeria.
The NCS president commended the Federal Government for establishing the Nigerian Cancer Health Fund in 2011, which has helped reduce the financial burden on cancer patients. However, he stressed the need for increased funding to provide substantial support for cancer patients.
Nigeria recorded 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 deaths in 2022, according to available data. The NCS is urging the National Assembly to address the significant gap in funding for cancer care in Nigeria, ensuring that more patients receive the necessary support and treatment.
Omonisi also emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to cancer care, including prevention, early detection, and treatment. He called on the government to strengthen the National Cancer Registry to ensure proper monitoring of disease trends and allocation of adequate resources for cancer care.
The NCS president expressed optimism that the National Assembly would consider the appeal and increase the Cancer Health Fund allocation. He noted that the increased funding would go a long way in supporting cancer patients and reducing the financial burden on them.
