Tinubu approves 25 new cancer treatment machines, FG begins wider cancer-care expansion

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the procurement of 25 additional linear accelerators between 2027 and 2029 as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand cancer treatment capacity and strengthen cancer control in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting of the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) Technical Working Group and Global Advisory Council.

Salako said the approval was part of a three-year plan to increase access to radiotherapy and other specialised cancer services across the country.

“Recently, President Bola Tinubu approved that between 2027 and 2029, the country should procure an additional 25 linear accelerators. We are executing a three-year plan to achieve this,” the minister said.

Linear accelerators, commonly known as LINACs, are machines used in radiotherapy to deliver high-energy radiation to cancer cells while limiting damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Their availability is critical to the treatment of many cancer patients requiring radiation therapy.

The planned procurement comes under the Federal Government’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, which seeks to reduce cancer incidence, illness and deaths while improving access to prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and supportive care.

Salako said Nigeria continued to face a significant cancer burden, with many patients presenting at health facilities when their diseases had already reached advanced stages.

He identified inadequate infrastructure, shortages of skilled healthcare workers and limited funding among the challenges affecting cancer treatment and care in the country.

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The minister said the government was therefore pursuing a comprehensive cancer-control strategy that places equal emphasis on prevention, early detection, treatment, research, workforce development and partnerships.

Prevention, he said, remains a major priority of the administration.

Salako noted that President Tinubu had approved the inclusion of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Nigeria’s routine immunisation programme.

“The President particularly continues to emphasise prioritising prevention. That is why one of the very first things he did was to approve that routinely, HPV vaccination should be part of our immunisation schedule,” he said.

HPV vaccination is an important public-health intervention because persistent infection with certain HPV types can cause cervical cancer and other cancers.

Salako added that the Federal Government was also working to strengthen hepatitis vaccination, expand cervical cancer screening and integrate screening services into primary healthcare facilities across the country.

“Prevention is better and cheaper than cure,” he said.

Beyond prevention, the government is also expanding specialised treatment infrastructure.

Salako disclosed that construction of six Cancer Centres of Excellence had commenced, with three already completed and work progressing on the remaining centres.

The centres are expected to improve access to specialised oncology services across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and reduce the pressure on existing cancer-treatment facilities.

The minister also inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium following the donation of equipment and other resources aimed at strengthening pathology laboratories and improving the diagnosis and management of blood cancers.

The President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, commended the Federal Government for adopting a more coordinated approach to tackling cancer.

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Omonisi identified fragmented interventions among government agencies, development partners, researchers and other stakeholders as one of the challenges that had affected previous cancer-control efforts.

He said the NCCP Technical Working Group was helping to address the problem by bringing together government institutions, researchers, clinicians, development partners, cancer organisations, patients and other stakeholders under a common national framework.

According to him, stronger international partnerships and greater engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora could improve cancer research, technology transfer, workforce development and access to advanced cancer-care services.

Earlier, the Chair of the NCCP Technical Working Group, Prof. Folakemi Odedina, said the group had moved from planning to implementation.

She said the initiative had united government institutions, academics, patients, advocates, survivors, industry players and international partners around a common national cancer-control agenda.

Odedina said work was progressing across several areas, including cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship, palliative care, research, clinical trials, workforce development and digital health.

She added that the Global Advisory Council was providing expertise in cancer prevention and treatment, genomics, implementation science, workforce development, data management and artificial intelligence.

Odedina said efforts were also underway to strengthen Nigeria’s oncology clinical trials ecosystem and improve patients’ access to innovative treatment options.

“We intend to produce trained people, stronger institutions in Nigeria, better research, expanded clinical trials, improved technologies, greater access to care, and ultimately better outcomes for Nigerian cancer patients,” she said.

She, however, stressed that expanding medical treatment alone would not guarantee better outcomes if patients could not afford other costs associated with cancer care.

According to her, patients may also require support for transportation, nutrition and accommodation during treatment, particularly when specialised services are unavailable close to their communities.

Also speaking, Prof. Taofeek Owonikoko, Global Advisory Council Director at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Centre, said the partnership would strengthen coordination between Nigerian institutions and international cancer organisations.

He said the framework would help ensure that international interventions were aligned with Nigeria’s national priorities rather than operating independently.

Owonikoko described the ambition of achieving a cancer-free Nigeria by 2030 as a long-term goal that would require sustained investment in healthcare systems, research, infrastructure and treatment strategies.

“I’m very convinced that the 2030 cancer-free Nigeria is not going to be a slogan.

“While we may not make Nigeria cancer-free in 2030, I think we would have created the tools, the platform and the strategies that will ensure that we eventually become cancer-free,” he said.

Dr Lewis Roberts of Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Centre called for increased attention to liver, pancreatic and biliary tract cancers across Africa.

“Liver cancer is one of the major causes of cancer deaths in Africa. Across the continent, it’s the number three cause of death from cancer,” Roberts said.

He advocated stronger screening programmes, improved identification and treatment of viral hepatitis cases and wider vaccination coverage to reduce the incidence of liver cancer.

The Federal Government’s broader cancer strategy also places emphasis on research, cancer surveillance, data collection, digital health and the development of a specialised workforce capable of providing modern oncology services.

The NCCP 2026–2030 is designed to bring together federal and state governments, healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, survivors, civil society organisations, development partners and international institutions in a coordinated national response to cancer.

The government’s planned procurement of 25 additional linear accelerators, construction of six Cancer Centres of Excellence, expansion of screening programmes and strengthening of pathology and research facilities are therefore part of a wider attempt to improve Nigeria’s cancer-care system.

However, stakeholders say sustained funding, reliable infrastructure, adequate staffing and affordable access to treatment will remain essential if the new investments are to translate into better outcomes for people living with cancer.

The meeting reviewed progress under the National Cancer Control Plan and examined further strategies for strengthening coordinated action on cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, research and survivorship care across Nigeria.

Tinubu approves 25 new cancer treatment machines, FG begins wider cancer-care expansion

Unpaid arrears: Resident doctors threaten total nationwide strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to begin a nationwide indefinite strike from August 10, 2026, if the Federal Government fails to substantially address outstanding demands concerning salary arrears, welfare and working conditions.

The association issued the fresh strike notice after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Gombe State from July 26 to July 31, where members reviewed previous agreements with the Federal Government and assessed the state of healthcare delivery across the country.

Speaking after the meeting, NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, said the association was dissatisfied with what it described as the slow pace of implementation of agreements reached with the government despite months of negotiations and repeated engagements.

Suleiman said NARD had extended its previous strike ultimatum on four occasions to give the Federal Government more time to resolve the outstanding issues. However, he said several commitments had yet to be fulfilled.

The association warned that resident doctors across Nigeria would commence a total and indefinite industrial action if the government failed to substantially address the demands before the August 10 deadline.

Among the key demands is the immediate payment of outstanding arrears linked to the 25–35 per cent CONMESS salary adjustment, as well as 19 months of unpaid professional allowance arrears, promotion arrears and outstanding salaries owed to doctors in several federal health institutions.

NARD identified several facilities where some doctors are affected by unresolved salary and welfare concerns. The institutions include the University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Okuki; Federal Medical Centre, Owo; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife; University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri; Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki; and Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.

The association also raised concerns over the safety of doctors and other healthcare workers, citing reports of assault, harassment, intimidation and attacks on medical personnel while performing their duties.

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NARD warned that continued attacks on healthcare workers could worsen the shortage of medical personnel and further affect healthcare services, particularly in public hospitals already facing staffing and infrastructure challenges.

The association called on the Federal Government to establish a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol and urged the National Assembly to pass legislation that would criminalise attacks on healthcare personnel and strengthen protections for health workers.

On the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, NARD acknowledged the Federal Government’s release of the fund but insisted that resident doctors who were excluded from the initial disbursement should be identified and paid without further delay.

The association said delays in accessing the training fund could affect the professional development of resident doctors and create additional financial pressure during their medical training.

NARD also expressed concern over the welfare of house officers, citing prolonged salary delays, unpaid entitlements and challenges relating to internship placement, documentation and onboarding.

According to the association, some newly employed doctors begin work and continue for several weeks or months before receiving their first salaries, a situation it said creates financial hardship and affects morale.

The doctors further demanded the immediate conclusion and implementation of the Medical and Health Workers Collective Bargaining Agreement.

They also called for urgent measures to address excessive workload, prolonged call-duty hours and shortages of healthcare workers in public hospitals.

NARD urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to intervene in the lingering industrial dispute involving resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and ensure that outstanding welfare concerns are resolved.

The association also called on the Federal Government and state governments to increase investment in the health sector through improved funding, rehabilitation and expansion of healthcare facilities, modern medical equipment, reliable electricity supply and the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals.

According to NARD, stronger investment in healthcare infrastructure and human resources is necessary to improve access to quality medical services and support the implementation of universal health coverage across Nigeria.

The association also appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the Kaduna State Government and the management of affected federal tertiary health institutions to resolve outstanding salary, welfare and training issues involving resident doctors.

NARD linked many of the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system to the increasing migration of doctors abroad in search of better pay, improved working conditions and stronger career opportunities.

The association said more than 16,000 Nigerian doctors had left the country within the last three to four years, warning that the continued loss of medical professionals could place additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system.

According to NARD, the number of doctors leaving Nigeria is now believed to be higher than the number graduating annually from the country’s medical schools.

The association warned that the continued migration of doctors, combined with inadequate recruitment, delayed payments and unresolved welfare concerns, could further increase workloads for healthcare workers who remain in the country.

NARD said it remained open to dialogue but stressed that the Federal Government must take concrete steps before August 10 to prevent a disruption of healthcare services in public hospitals nationwide.

If the strike proceeds, it could affect medical services in federal and state hospitals where resident doctors play major roles in patient care, emergency services, clinical training and the day-to-day operations of healthcare facilities.

Unpaid arrears: Resident doctors threaten total nationwide strike

FG expands emergency healthcare services to 34 states

The Federal Government (FG) has expanded the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) to 34 states, in a major push to improve emergency healthcare, strengthen intensive and critical care services, and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across Nigeria.

The expansion was announced by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during the opening of the 11th Annual Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Intensive and Critical Care Society of Nigeria (I-CCSN) in Abuja.

Speaking on the conference theme, “Sustainable Financing for Intensive Care in Public Hospitals in Nigeria,” Salako described emergency and intensive care as essential pillars of a resilient healthcare system, saying timely access to quality treatment saves lives, reduces preventable deaths and protects families from the devastating financial impact of critical illnesses.

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, the minister said the expansion of NEMSAS from its pilot phase in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to 34 states represents one of the Federal Government’s flagship health sector reforms, with efforts already underway to extend the programme to all 36 states and the FCT.

The National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) was established to provide a coordinated national emergency response by ensuring the rapid evacuation and transportation of critically ill or injured patients to appropriate healthcare facilities. The initiative supports victims of road traffic crashes, maternal emergencies, medical complications, disasters and other life-threatening situations that require urgent intervention.

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Salako said the Tinubu administration considers emergency and critical care a strategic investment in Nigeria’s healthcare system, noting that improved emergency response capacity is critical to achieving better health outcomes, strengthening national health security and reducing avoidable deaths.

He observed that delivering quality intensive care requires sustained investments in specialised infrastructure, fully equipped ambulances, intensive care units (ICUs), trauma centres, medical oxygen systems, modern diagnostic equipment, reliable electricity supply and highly trained healthcare professionals.

The minister also expressed concern over Nigeria’s continued dependence on out-of-pocket healthcare spending, warning that many households are forced into financial hardship because of the high cost of emergency treatment and intensive care.

To reduce this burden, he said the Federal Government is expanding health insurance coverage, strengthening sustainable healthcare financing and implementing reforms aimed at making emergency medical services more accessible and affordable.

According to Salako, the government is simultaneously implementing complementary programmes to improve maternal and newborn healthcare, strengthen referral systems and integrate ambulance services with intensive care units, operating theatres, rehabilitation centres and medical oxygen supply networks.

He added that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted increased investment in medical oxygen infrastructure, with Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants already installed in several federal and state health facilities to improve oxygen availability for critically ill patients.

The minister further disclosed that the government is promoting digital health technologies, telemedicine and tele-critical care services to bridge gaps in access to specialist healthcare, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

Salako emphasised that achieving sustainable emergency healthcare requires stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, healthcare institutions, professional associations, academic and research institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector.

He also called for greater investment in healthcare workforce development through the training of more intensive care physicians, emergency medicine specialists, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, anaesthetists, biomedical engineers and other specialised healthcare professionals.

The minister said these reforms align with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and other ongoing efforts to strengthen primary healthcare, emergency medical services and referral systems nationwide.

Earlier, Chairman of the Conference Local Organising Committee, Dr. Harrison Nwogu, said participants would examine the persistent underfunding of intensive care units and explore innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), expanded health insurance, philanthropic support and diaspora investment.

Chairman of the occasion and Chief Medical Director of Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Dr. Olalekan Olutesi, urged wealthy Nigerians and corporate organisations to invest more in the health sector, suggesting tax incentives to encourage greater private-sector participation in healthcare delivery.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Tamuno-Ojuemi Ogaji advocated a sustainable financing framework that guarantees access to quality intensive care regardless of a patient’s financial status.

He identified inadequate infrastructure, shortages of medical equipment and consumables, unstable electricity supply, limited intensive care beds and insufficient funding as some of the major obstacles affecting critical care delivery in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Emir of Wase, Dr. Muhammadu Haruna, who represented the Emir of Tula, Dr. Abubakar Buba, described intensive care as a national development issue that affects every Nigerian family.

He said strengthening emergency and critical care services would improve survival rates, reduce preventable deaths and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic and social development.

The Federal Government expressed confidence that the continued expansion of NEMSAS, improved healthcare financing, stronger referral systems and sustained investments in emergency medical infrastructure would significantly improve access to life-saving care and strengthen Nigeria’s overall healthcare system.

FG expands emergency healthcare services to 34 states