House of Reps Urges FG to Subsidise Cancer Treatment, Expand Access to Care
The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to subsidise the cost of cancer medications and treatments, while also expanding access to early detection and care services.
The resolution was passed during Wednesday’s plenary session following a motion raised by Hon. Aderemi Oseni, who represents Oyo State. Oseni urged the government to provide free cancer screening, increase the number of treatment centres, and urgently procure more radiotherapy machines to meet the rising demand across the country.
“Cancer is not just a disease—it’s a national emergency,” Oseni declared. “The high cost of treatment means thousands are suffering in silence or dying needlessly. The government must safeguard the welfare of its citizens.”
Referencing sobering global data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Oseni reminded lawmakers that at least 40 people are diagnosed with cancer every minute worldwide. He cited a report revealing that about 125,000 Nigerians were diagnosed with cancer in 2020 alone, with breast, prostate, and cervical cancers being the most prevalent.
He painted a grim picture of the cancer treatment landscape in Nigeria, describing a system riddled with costly medications, an under-equipped healthcare infrastructure, and a scarcity of critical equipment such as radiation therapy machines. Treatment costs, he noted, can soar to tens of millions of naira or even hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, making care inaccessible for the average Nigerian.
“The perception that cancer is a disease only the wealthy can survive must be dismantled,” Oseni said. “The burden is shared by the rich and poor alike. Yet without intervention, it is the poor who suffer the most.”
He emphasised that the financial toll on families is immense and called for public funding as the most sustainable and equitable way to combat cancer in Nigeria.
The motion received unanimous support and was adopted after a voice vote conducted by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
