The Federal Government has launched a N50 million Social Determinants of Health Fund to support cancer patients facing financial and social challenges that often prevent them from accessing or completing treatment.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, unveiled the initiative in Abuja on Wednesday, describing it as a targeted intervention to assist vulnerable patients with non-medical expenses such as transportation, accommodation, feeding and other support needs.
According to the minister, more than 600 cancer patients have applied for assistance, while over 200 have already been verified through a screening process involving medical directors and attending physicians. Verified beneficiaries will receive a minimum of N100,000 each.
Salako said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is providing the initial N50 million funding and assured that payments would be made directly to beneficiaries to ensure transparency and accountability.
He noted that despite government investments in cancer treatment infrastructure, subsidised care and public awareness campaigns, many patients still struggle with indirect costs associated with treatment, leading to delayed care and poor outcomes.
The minister explained that transportation, accommodation near specialised treatment centres, food insecurity and inadequate family support remain major barriers, particularly for low-income Nigerians.
He said the fund was created based on recommendations from the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group established after the launch of Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.
Salako also called on corporate organisations, philanthropists and wealthy individuals to contribute to the initiative, stressing that it would complement existing interventions such as the Cancer Health Fund, Cancer Access Partnership, Vulnerable Group Fund and the NCS Cancer Intervention Fund.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to reducing Nigeria’s cancer burden by 50 per cent by 2030, the minister said the administration is expanding prevention, screening and treatment services while strengthening support systems for patients.
He assured cancer patients that the government remains committed to ensuring that a cancer diagnosis does not become a death sentence.