Cancer support fund unveiled by the Federal Government will provide financial assistance to vulnerable cancer patients across Nigeria

The Federal Government has unveiled a N50 million Cancer Support Fund to assist vulnerable cancer patients facing financial and social barriers that often prevent them from accessing or completing treatment.

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The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, announced the initiative on Wednesday during the official unveiling of the fund’s disbursement in Abuja, describing it as a critical intervention aimed at improving access to cancer care for disadvantaged Nigerians.

Salako said the Cancer Support Fund would help patients overcome non-medical challenges such as transportation costs, accommodation, feeding and inadequate social support, which frequently contribute to delayed treatment and poor health outcomes.

According to the minister, more than 600 cancer patients have already applied for assistance under the scheme, while over 200 applicants have been successfully verified through a screening process involving medical directors and attending physicians at treatment facilities.

Verified beneficiaries will receive a minimum of N100,000 each to help offset some of the social and economic burdens associated with cancer treatment.

“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will provide fifty million naira as government’s initial contribution to the Social Determinants of Health Fund for cancer patients,” Salako said.

The minister explained that although the government has invested heavily in expanding cancer treatment infrastructure, subsidising care and raising awareness, many patients still struggle to commence or complete treatment because of indirect costs that remain beyond their reach.

He noted that expenses linked to transportation, temporary accommodation in cities with specialised treatment centres, food insecurity and limited family support often undermine treatment adherence and recovery prospects.

Salako described social determinants of health as a major factor contributing to the devastating financial burden faced by cancer patients and their families worldwide.

The initiative emerged from recommendations made by the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group, established following the launch of Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.

The working group is chaired by Folakemi Odedina, with Malami Aliyu serving as co-chair.

In a notable display of commitment, members of the group contributed millions of naira from personal resources to help establish the fund before government support was secured.

Salako commended the members for their patriotism and dedication, urging them to work closely with existing government programmes designed to improve financial protection for cancer patients.

The minister said the intervention would complement ongoing initiatives, including the Cancer Health Fund, Cancer Access Partnership, Vulnerable Group Fund and the NCS Cancer Intervention Fund.

Beyond the initial government contribution, the Cancer Support Fund is expected to attract funding from corporate organisations, philanthropic foundations and high-net-worth individuals to help close financing gaps in cancer care.

Salako stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in managing the initiative.

“I will like to admonish the managers of the fund to ensure due diligence, transparency and accountability in its disbursement,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s ambitious target of reducing Nigeria’s cancer burden by 50 per cent by 2030 through expanded prevention, screening and treatment services.

He said the government’s strategy includes free cancer screening programmes, improved treatment infrastructure, subsidised chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, and enhanced patient support systems.

Addressing cancer patients nationwide, Salako assured them that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that a cancer diagnosis does not become a death sentence.

Health experts have long identified non-medical expenses as a major obstacle to treatment, particularly for patients travelling long distances to tertiary healthcare facilities.

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The newly launched Cancer Support Fund is expected to provide a powerful safety net for indigent patients while strengthening the implementation of Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.