25 July 2025
Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has expressed concern over the country’s alarming cancer burden, with approximately 127,000 new cases and 80,000 deaths annually.
The minister disclosed this while commissioning a cancer centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina.
To combat this, the Federal Government has commissioned a state-of-the-art cancer centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina.
The centre, equipped with advanced technology, including a True Beam linear accelerator and a Brachytherapy Machine, will provide comprehensive cancer care, from diagnosis to treatment.
*Key Features of the Cancer Centre:*
– *20-bed Chemotherapy Suite* with private suites for VIPs
– *Pharmacy Compounding Room* for preparation of chemotherapeutic drugs
– *Advanced Equipment*, including a 64-slice CT simulator and True Beam linear accelerator
– *Trained Healthcare Professionals*, including 26 oncology nurses, seven therapy radiographers, eight medical physicists, and six oncology pharmacists
The Minister emphasized that Nigeria is expected to see a rise in cancer cases due to increasing exposure to risk factors such as unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and physical inactivity. However, with the new cancer centre, patients will no longer need to travel abroad for treatment, reducing costs and improving outcomes
*Government Initiatives:*
– *Establishing Cancer Centres* in all six geopolitical zones for early detection and treatment
– *Prioritizing Healthcare* in national reforms and budget allocations
– *Providing Subsidized Cancer Drugs* through the National Cancer Access Program (NCAP)
