By Ojoma Akor
Stakeholders in cancer care and health financing have said there is a need to leverage Nigeria’s rich local and diaspora resources to sustainably mobilize additional funding for cancer care.
They made the call during the National Cancer Intervention Fund (NCIF) Governing Council’s 2025 retreat in Abuja. It was themed “Strengthening governance and forging strategic partnerships for cancer intervention funding in Nigeria.”
Dr Gafar Alawode, Chairman Nigerian Cancer Society’s NCIF Governing Council, and chief executive officer of DGI Consult, said doing so is crucial to ensuring sustainable financing solutions for cancer care in the country.
Quoting the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), he said approximately 72,000 cancer-related deaths occur annually. An estimated 102,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed each year.
He said a study shows that access to comprehensive cancer treatment centres is challenging.
He said NCIF targets mobilizing N100 billion in the next five years, adding that its approach includes expanding access to cancer care, capacity building, and research.
According to him, targeted resource mobilization sources are the public sector, the private sector, and development partners/diaspora.
He said there is a need to work with stakeholders to advance robust, inclusive, targeted funding advocacy for cancer care, and to hold the government accountable at all levels for cancer care investment.
He added that there was also a need to ensure the judicious use of available resources for better outcomes and to leverage technology to mobilize resources effectively and efficiently.
Dr Uchechukwu Emmanuel Nwokwu, National Coordinator, National Cancer Control and Nuclear Medicine Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, while giving an overview of cancer care financing and resource utilization, said treatment costs and income loss as a result of cancer care could impact treatment adherence, result in diminished quality of life, and ultimately lead to poorer outcomes.
He said, “A 2022 study by the Nigerian Cancer Society revealed that 72% of patients liquidated assets or took high-interest loans to fund treatment, with 38% experiencing income loss due to caregiving demands.”
He explained that the Nigerian Cancer Health Fund (CHF), established in 2020 by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health (FMOH), in partnership with other stakeholders, is a social service that provides funding to indigent cancer patients in Nigeria.
He said the weakness of CHF is that it does not cover screening and diagnosis, does not cover over 50% of cancers, is limited to only six facilities, not all of which provide comprehensive services, and is unsustainable.
He recommended that the NCIF leverage the CHF platform experience, support screening/early detection, cover multiple cancers, leverage partnerships to purchase services, and direct facility funding.
Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, president of the Nigeria Cancer Society, said the NCIF was conceived due to challenges in the CHF.
He said that for almost two years, cancer patients could not access the platform or access the fund, adding that many of them couldn’t get proper treatment, and even stopped their medication, because they could not afford it.
He said, “And then, if the family cannot afford it, they have to start using other local remedies like herbs, and others opt for prayers. And we think that this cannot continue. The NCS has done a lot to draw the attention of relevant government agencies to address bureaucracy and other issues. Still, it appears that they appear more complex.”
He added that this was why NCS was bringing together stakeholders, particularly from the organized private sector, to support comprehensive and sustainable financing for cancer care in the country.
He said, “There are usually issues, you know, but things like Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are most likely to succeed. That’s why we are also trying to involve everyone, including patients and survivors. Most importantly, accountability and transparency are essential because that is the only way donors will support the scheme.”
He highlighted that the NCIF has a mandate to raise N100 billion in the next five years, at a minimum.
“We hope that it is not enough to address this, but we know that with N100 billion, that will go a long way in addressing the various sufferings faced by cancer patients. But transparency and accounting are essential; that is why we continue to call for more donors to support the scheme.”
