The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to provide free cancer screening and subsidized treatment for patients at all stages of the disease nationwide

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to provide free screening and subsidized treatment for Nigerians suffering from cancer at all stages of the disease.

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This decision followed the consideration and adoption of a motion on notice sponsored by Hon. Aderemi Oseni, the member representing Ibarapa Central/Ido Federal Constituency, Oyo State, during Wednesday’s plenary session.

In his presentation, Hon. Oseni, a lawmaker from the All Progressives Congress, described cancer as a significant public health crisis in Nigeria, highlighting the financial burden that prevents many patients from accessing necessary treatment.

He stated, “The scourge of cancer is fast spreading amongst Nigerians, with reports revealing that in 2020, about 125,000 people were diagnosed. The most common types of cancer are breast, prostate, and cervical cancer.”

Hon. Oseni expressed the House’s concern over the exorbitant costs associated with cancer treatment, which can range from tens of millions of naira to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, depending on various factors.

He also highlighted the financial hardships faced by Nigerian cancer patients due to the complex and costly supply chain for essential drugs and the limited availability of crucial radiation therapy machines, leading some to believe that cancer treatment is only accessible to the wealthy.

“The scourge of cancer is fast spreading amongst Nigerians, with reports revealing that in 2020, about 125,000 people were diagnosed… patients with cancer in Nigeria are facing financial difficulties due to the complex and expensive supply chain for cancer drugs and limited availability of radiation therapy machines,” said Rep. Aderemi Oseni.

The lawmaker emphasized that the increasing prevalence of cancer is straining the funding available for cancer control services, asserting that public financing is the most appropriate, sustainable, and equitable solution to alleviate the suffering of cancer patients.

In its resolution, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the House of Representatives mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, as well as other relevant agencies.

The aim of this collaboration is to establish a mechanism through which the Federal Government can provide subsidies for cancer treatment and related drugs, thereby easing the financial burden on patients.

Furthermore, the House called on the Federal Government to increase the number of cancer treatment centers across the country and to procure more radiotherapy machines to improve access to this vital treatment modality.

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The resolution also included a call for the advocacy of free and early cancer screening initiatives to improve early detection and outcomes for patients.