The federal government has announced the completion of three new cancer treatment centres, marking a significant step in expanding access to cancer care across Nigeria.
The facilities located at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina; the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nsukka; and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital are scheduled to be commissioned on May 29.
This development was revealed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, in an official statement. He described the centres as part of the first phase of what is envisioned to become the largest network of oncology and diagnostic centres in West Africa.
According to Pate, the newly completed centres are expected to serve nearly 2,000 cancer patients and provide diagnostic services to approximately 350,000 individuals annually. In addition, the facilities are projected to train up to 500 clinicians over the next three years, boosting capacity in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The minister also disclosed that essential institutional staff are currently undergoing training in preparation for the centres’ full operational rollout.
However, Pate noted that the government has not yet provided a timeline for the completion of the remaining seven centres in the planned 10-centre nationwide network.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In Nigeria, delayed diagnosis and the high cost of treatment continue to pose major challenges, particularly in underserved communities.
The establishment of these centres aims to address some of these barriers and improve outcomes for cancer patients nationwide.
