The Federal Government has launched a cancer support fund for patients in the South-East, providing financial assistance to beneficiaries while addressing socio-economic barriers that hinder access to life-saving treatment.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), has launched the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Fund to support cancer patients across Nigeria’s South-East region.
The initiative, themed “Removing Barriers to Cancer Care: Supporting Access to Life-Saving Treatment,” was officially unveiled on Monday in Enugu, with 21 beneficiaries selected from the five South-East states for the first phase of the programme.
Each beneficiary will receive N100,000, bringing the total disbursement under the first phase to N2.1 million.
Speaking at the launch held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said the intervention was designed to address the socio-economic challenges that often prevent cancer patients from accessing timely and effective treatment.
Salako, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Daju Kachollom, noted that the Enugu event followed the successful inauguration of the programme in the North-Central zone and forms part of a nationwide rollout across all six geopolitical zones.
According to him, healthcare outcomes are influenced not only by the availability of medical services but also by social and economic factors that affect patients’ ability to access treatment.
“For many cancer patients and their families, the journey from diagnosis to treatment is often complicated by challenges such as transportation costs, accommodation difficulties, loss of income, nutritional needs and psychosocial support. Addressing these barriers is essential if we are to achieve equitable and sustainable cancer care,” he said.
The minister explained that the initiative aligns with the Nigeria National Cancer Control Plan (2026–2030) and ongoing health sector reforms aimed at reducing both the physical and financial burden of illness on Nigerians.
He added that the Federal Government has continued to expand access to affordable cancer care through investments in treatment infrastructure, free cancer screening programmes, subsidised treatment services and the Cancer Health Fund.
Salako commended members of the NCCP Technical Working Group for implementing a transparent and evidence-based verification process to ensure that support reaches the most vulnerable patients.
He also called on philanthropists, development partners, corporate organisations and civil society groups to support the programme and help expand its impact.
“The fight against cancer cannot be won by government alone. It requires collective action, compassion, innovation and sustained commitment from all sectors of society,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Chief Medical Director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Professor Obinna Onodugo, described the initiative as a significant shift in healthcare delivery.
According to Onodugo, the programme recognises the importance of addressing non-medical factors such as poverty, education, environmental conditions and community infrastructure that significantly influence health outcomes.
“We are moving beyond the traditional treatment of illness to aggressively address the conditions in which people are born, grow, work and age. To achieve universal health coverage, we must tackle the root causes of health inequalities,” he said.
Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS), Professor Abidemi Omonisi, represented by the Enugu State Chairman of the society, Dr. Samson Ezea, described the fund as a landmark intervention in Nigeria’s cancer control efforts.
Omonisi said the initiative would provide hope for cancer patients who often struggle with transportation, accommodation, feeding and other social challenges that affect treatment outcomes.
“We are not merely launching a fund; we are launching hope. For many cancer patients, the greatest challenge is not always the diagnosis itself but the circumstances surrounding access to care,” he said.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Professor George Ugwu, highlighted the state government’s efforts to address social determinants of health through economic empowerment and substantial investments in healthcare infrastructure.
Ugwu disclosed that the state government is constructing Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres in all 260 political wards, upgrading secondary and tertiary health facilities and developing an international hospital to improve healthcare delivery, including cancer care services.
The South-East Liaison of the NCCP Technical Working Group, Emeritus Professor Ifeoma Okoye, expressed optimism about stronger collaboration among stakeholders to improve outcomes for cancer patients across the country.
She noted that the programme had attracted broad participation from faith-based organisations, traditional rulers, healthcare professionals, academics, media practitioners and development partners.
The Anglican Bishop of Ikwo in Ebonyi State, Rt. Rev. Ken Ifemere, emphasised the role of religious institutions in promoting cancer awareness and supporting patients.
Sharing his personal experience as a prostate cancer survivor, the bishop urged greater emphasis on early detection and treatment.
Responding on behalf of beneficiaries and cancer survivors, Mr. Daniel Oforbike expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the support, describing the initiative as a significant source of encouragement for individuals battling cancer.
He noted that living with cancer places enormous emotional and financial burdens on patients and their families, adding that the intervention demonstrates that survivors are recognised, valued and supported in their journey toward recovery.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.