The Federal Government has spent more than ₦1 trillion on cancer control in the past year, according to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Bagudu revealed this during a 5.4-kilometre cancer awareness walk in Abuja tagged “One Walk, One Fight – Walk Away Cancer.”
He explained that ₦350 billion went into setting up cancer centres across the country, while over ₦300 billion was spent on cancer detection equipment. He added that more funds were provided to state and local governments to support cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. However, he stressed the importance of proper accountability.
“I want to commend the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), under the leadership of its president, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, for its relentless and longstanding cancer awareness and sensitisation campaign.
“Cancer control remains one of the priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector,” he said.
The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Maria Mahmoud, encouraged Nigerians, especially women and girls, to go for regular cancer screening.
“We really appreciate and commend this sensitisation initiative for Nigerians. With this kind of massive turnout, the high prevalence of cervical cancer will go down,” she said.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmed, called for support for cancer patients.
“To all cancer patients and survivors, we see your fight and honour your courage. We shall continue to stand with you in solidarity,” she said.
Meanwhile, Cancer Society of Nigeria President, Professor Abidemi Omonisi, urged Nigerians to support patients and survivors, noting that treatment remains expensive.
UICC President, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, said the organisation had worked with stakeholders to fight cancer for over 12 years and called for more funding.
Cancer survivor Farooq Oreagba, who was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer over 12 years ago, said early detection helped him survive.
