Federal Government has launched a National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) in Abuja, to help prevent and control the group disease.
Funso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, represented by Okpako Okpikpi, Coordinator, National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) of the Ministry, revealed this during a stakeholders’ meeting of Oncologist in Abuja.
The Institute is established to regulate and coordinate research, activities, policy and public education for cancer prevention and control.
The NICRAT Director General, Dr Usman Malami Aliyua applauded the meeting with different group of experts, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, pharmaceutical companies, patient advocates, and many others who have dedicated their lives to combating cancer.
A former Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, acknowledged the need to integrate cancer care into all Universal Health Coverage ( UHC ) programmes as low income Nigerians cannot afford to pay out of pocket. He urged the institution to grant unfettered access to healthcare services for diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer, while the government expands the Cancer Health Fund and set aside resources from the insurance pool funding to tackle their challenges.
