Tag: CS News Health

International Cancer Week: Federal Government Reaffirms Commitment to Resilient Healthcare Systems

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The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to revolutionizing cancer care across Nigeria by building resilient, innovative, and equitable healthcare systems designed to support patients through every stage of diagnosis and treatment. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated this while officially opening the 2026 International Cancer Week in Abuja. Organized by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, an agency of the Federal Ministry of Health, the annual conference operates under the theme: “United Against Cancer: Building Resilient, Innovative and Equitable Systems Across the Cancer Care Continuum.” The gathering brings together medical experts, policymakers, international partners, and patient advocate groups to formulate actionable health strategies. Dr. Salako explained that the ministry is actively driving the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030 through the broader Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative framework. The strategic objective focuses on achieving at least a 30 percent overall reduction in national cancer mortality and incidence rates by 2030 through enhanced clinical workflows and early intervention. A primary highlight of the national strategy involves the approved procurement and installation of 35 state of the art Linear Accelerators across selected tertiary health centers over the next three years. This massive equipment roll-out will accompany the physical development and commissioning of specialized cancer centers of excellence designed to provide comprehensive radiation and chemotherapy treatments. On the preventative front, the government has established eight dedicated NICRAT Preventive Oncology Clinics distributed strategically across all six geopolitical zones. Massive nationwide immunization campaigns have successfully administered the HPV vaccine to over 18 million young girls aged 9 to 14, targeting the complete elimination of cervical cancer in line with global health objectives. The minister underscored that technological innovation, clinical research, and precise health data management will serve as central pillars for the national cancer response moving forward. Advanced digital health platforms, artificial intelligence, telemedicine networks, molecular diagnostics, and national cancer registries are currently being deployed to refine diagnostic accuracy and streamline individualized patient care. To alleviate the catastrophic financial burden associated with long term cancer care, the government is expanding the financial reach of the National Cancer Health Fund. This financial safety net ensures low income citizens receive essential funding support, preventing financial hardship from forcing vulnerable patients to abandon life-saving medical treatments midway. The Abuja gathering follows Nigeria’s outstanding leadership presentation at the World Cancer Congress in Hong Kong, where the national delegation presented the 2026–2030 blueprint as a benchmark model. Notably, Nigerian medical pioneer Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu was announced as the first African President of the Union for International Cancer Control during the global summit. Dr. Salako closed his opening address by calling on civil society, private corporate bodies, and international donor organizations to pool resources with government institutions to expand cancer screening centers. He reminded citizens that early detection remains the most cost effective defense against cancer, urging all Nigerians to access regular medical checkups at nearby primary healthcare centers. By: Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Fighting Malnutrition: Federal Government Accelerates National Food and Nutrition Bill

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The Federal Government has disclosed plans to fast track the passage of a comprehensive National Food and Nutrition Bill designed to safeguard long term funding and bolster institutional accountability against malnutrition. Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the legislative initiative while speaking at the high level Nigeria Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum convened in Addis Ababa. Vice President Shettima explained that the proposed legal framework will provide solid legislative protection for federal funding while cementing the statutory implementation of the national Nutrition 774 Initiative. The law aims to enforce mandatory inter-governmental coordination across federal, state, and local government tiers to systematically eradicate severe child undernutrition across the country. Under the overarching National Policy on Food and Nutrition 2026–2035, the administration has set ambitious targets to reduce national child stunting rates significantly over the next decade. Strategic targets aim to lower stunting levels to 32 percent by 2029, 28 percent by 2032, and ultimately achieve a 25 percent baseline by 2035 through sustained clinical interventions. To build an operational foundation across the grassroots, the federal government has facilitated the creation of functional nutrition committees across 32 State Houses of Assembly. Furthermore, over 450 local government councils have instituted dedicated nutrition desks, establishing a nationwide legislative network capable of driving localized food interventions and monitoring expenditure. Financial commitment toward the campaign has seen notable success, as Nigeria’s initial $26 million contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund successfully unlocked an additional $52 million in matching external funds. Additionally, 21 state governments have mobilized a collective $6.3 million since 2023 to expand local treatment centers and provide therapeutic food packages. Highlighting the urgency of the intervention, Vice President Shettima revealed that nearly 40 percent of Nigerian children under five currently suffer from varying degrees of stunting. Beyond the human cost, chronic undernutrition drains the national economy, resulting in an estimated $56 billion in lost economic productivity annually due to reduced cognitive and physical capabilities. To supplement government spending, plans have been finalized to launch a Presidential Nutrition Investment Fund to provide catalytic seed financing for sustainable agricultural and clinical projects. Concurrently, a specialized Nutrition Financing Subcommittee is actively engaging domestic private sector stakeholders to unlock additional non-governmental capital for public nutrition initiatives. The government is also executing a Private Sector Engagement Framework to collaborate with food manufacturers, private financiers, and regulatory bodies to boost the production of affordable, fortified foods. This initiative enforces strict adherence to national food fortification standards, ensuring staple foods sold in public markets contain essential micronutrients necessary for healthy child development. The bilateral exchange concluded with Nigeria and Ethiopia agreeing to issue a joint declaration aimed at deepening regional cooperation on food security and agricultural technology. Vice President Shettima also met privately with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh to strengthen economic ties, trade logistics, and security cooperation between both prominent African nations. By: Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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