The proposed N302.3 billion National Cancer Institute will help reduce Nigerians’ dependence on foreign countries for cancer diagnosis and treatment, the Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Usman Malami Aliyu, has said.
Aliyu made the remark while reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and commissioning of the flagship cancer institute.
The approval was announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, following a Federal Executive Council meeting.
According to the NICRAT Director-General, the project, which is expected to be completed within 36 months, will significantly strengthen cancer treatment, research, innovation and professional training in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by Hassan Zaggi, Head of Media and Public Relations at NICRAT, Aliyu commended President Tinubu for approving what he described as a major intervention in the country’s healthcare sector.
He said the institute would provide sophisticated cancer services and position Nigeria as a major destination for cancer treatment and research in Africa.
Aliyu noted that cancer has remained a major health challenge in Nigeria, partly because of inadequate access to early diagnosis, affordable treatment and advanced research facilities.
He said the new institute would help address some of these challenges while reducing the amount of money Nigerians spend seeking specialised cancer care abroad.
According to him, the facility could also attract patients from other African countries, generating foreign exchange for Nigeria and strengthening the country’s position in global cancer care.
The NICRAT DG further said the institute would serve as a training and research hub for oncology professionals and researchers, while promoting innovation, technology-driven healthcare and collaboration with institutions in Nigeria and abroad.
He also highlighted recent upgrades to cancer centres in Katsina, Benin and Enugu as evidence of the government’s efforts to expand cancer care infrastructure across the country.
Aliyu commended Pate for his leadership in the health sector and Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, for his advocacy and support for the project.
He assured that NICRAT management and staff would work towards ensuring that the project delivers on its objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
