The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to provide free screening and subsidized treatment for individuals suffering from all stages of cancer in Nigeria.
The call came on Wednesday, 7th May, after the adoption of a motion sponsored by Mr. Aderemi Oseni, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa Central/Ido Federal Constituency, Oyo State, during Wednesday’s plenary.
In his presentation, Oseni, a member of the All Progressives Congress, highlighted cancer as a significant public health concern in Nigeria, noting that many patients are unable to afford necessary treatments due to the high costs involved.
He pointed out, “Cancer has become a growing problem in Nigeria, with approximately 125,000 people diagnosed in 2020 alone. The most common cancers include breast, prostate, and cervical cancer.”
The lawmaker expressed concern that cancer treatments can cost anywhere from tens of millions of naira (or thousands of dollars) to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, depending on various factors such as the type of cancer, stage of the disease, treatment methods, location, and the patient’s health history.
Oseni further noted that patients in Nigeria face financial challenges due to the complex and expensive supply chain for cancer medications, as well as the limited availability of radiation therapy machines. These challenges have led many to believe that cancer is an illness only the wealthy can afford to treat, often leading to a grim outlook on the condition.
He emphasized that cancer affects both the poor and the rich, with the burden of the disease rapidly growing, leading to a shortage of funding for cancer control services. Public financing, he argued, is the most appropriate and sustainable solution for addressing this challenge and alleviating the suffering of cancer patients.
In response, the House resolved to mandate its Committee on Healthcare Services to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies to create a system for providing subsidies for cancer treatment and related medications. The resolution also called for the establishment of additional cancer treatment centers and the procurement of more radiotherapy machines.
Furthermore, the House advocated for free and early cancer screening for all Nigerians.