The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, on Thursday raised concerns over the country’s alarming cancer statistics, revealing that Nigeria records approximately 127,000 new cases annually, resulting in nearly 80,000 deaths each year.
He made this known while commissioning a state-of-the-art cancer treatment centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina.
Pate described cancer and other non-communicable diseases as some of the fastest-growing health challenges in Nigeria, warning of a continued rise in cancer cases if urgent measures are not taken.
While inaugurating the facility on Thursday, Prof. Pate expressed optimism about the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, crediting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the renewed investment in the sector.
“This is the best cancer centre in the world. It’s a promise kept by Mr. President. Only we Nigerians can fix our healthcare system—no other country will do it for us,” he stated.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Suleiman Bello, said the new centre was remodeled and equipped through the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) under the Federal Ministry of Health’s Oncology Initiative.
Dr. Bello explained that the project began in 2019 with the recruitment of three young medical officers who were sent for residency in Radio-Oncology.
“Today, all three are qualified consultants. Two additional doctors are currently undergoing training as Senior Registrars, while seven therapy radiographers have also been trained and deployed,” he said.
The CMD detailed the facility’s features, which include a 20-bed Chemotherapy Suite with VIP private suites, a Pharmacy compounding room for preparing chemotherapeutic drugs, a TrueBeam Linear Accelerator for precise radiotherapy, a Varian Bravos Brachytherapy Machine for cervical and prostate cancers, and a 64-slice CT Simulator for advanced imaging and radiation planning.
In addition, the hospital has trained eight medical physicists (in collaboration with the University of Lagos), six oncology pharmacists (trained by the West African College of Pharmacists and BVGH), and twenty-six oncology nurses (trained at the National Hospital’s Post-Basic Oncology Training School in Abuja)
Dr. Bello emphasized that with this level of expertise and world-class equipment, patients no longer need to seek cancer treatment abroad unless by personal choice.
“The same equipment used in leading cancer centres globally is what we now have here. We are already accessing subsidized cancer medications through the National Cancer Access Program (NCAP), thanks to NICRAT,” he noted.
He thanked President Tinubu for funding the project, Minister Pate for his leadership, and NSIA/Medserve for their professional execution of the centre’s remodeling and equipping.
Representing the Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Radda, Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Abdullahi Faskari, described the centre as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cancer.
“This centre offers comprehensive cancer care—from early diagnosis to advanced treatment and research. It is a bold step by the Federal Government to reduce the cancer burden and improve survival rates,” he said.
Faskari lauded the synergy between the state and federal governments, adding that Katsina has aligned its health policy with the national healthcare reform agenda under the Renewed Hope Initiative. He cited improvements in infrastructure, equipment, and human resources across all levels of care in the state.
He highlighted the global challenge cancer poses, particularly in Africa, where limited access to care worsens outcomes.
“Over 70 percent of cancer patients in Nigeria present at late stages when treatment options are limited. That’s why specialized centres like this one are crucial,” he added.
In their goodwill messages, Coordinating Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance, Chief Wale Edun, reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to healthcare, noting the timely release of funds for major health projects.
Idris pointed out the economic benefit of local treatment, saying:
“The cost of flying from Katsina to Lagos for cancer treatment, including airfare and accommodation, is often higher than the actual cost of the treatment. With this new centre, that burden is lifted for many families.”
The commissioning of the cancer centre marks a critical step forward in Nigeria’s battle against one of its most pressing health threats, offering renewed hope to thousands of patients across the country.
