Representatives push for cost-free cancer care for patients.

In a promising development for cancer patients nationwide, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to allocate funds for the establishment of cost-free cancer treatment facilities across Nigeria. This call to action stemmed from a motion of urgent importance titled “The Need for Free Cancer Treatment in Nigeria,” spearheaded by Mr. Yusuf Badau, the representative of Shanono/Bagwai Federal Constituency in Kano State.

Highlighting the alarming surge in cancer cases and its devastating impact, Badau emphasized the urgent necessity for governmental intervention to alleviate the burden on affected individuals. He underscored the financial hardships faced by many patients due to the lack of accessible treatment options, particularly among low-income earners residing in rural areas with limited resources and awareness about cancer prevention and management.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the House underscored the imperative for the government to enact legislation facilitating free cancer treatment in all teaching hospitals. In response, the House Committee on Health Services directed the Federal Ministry of Health to mandate teaching hospitals across the country to establish cancer treatment centers promptly and initiate cost-free treatment programs for patients. Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation were tasked with appropriating funds to support the establishment and operation of these essential facilities, signaling a concerted effort to combat the high mortality rate associated with cancer in Nigeria.