- Wasiu A. Adejumo || Premier World News
Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in cancer cases across Nigeria and has unveiled a robust national strategy to tackle the scourge through nuclear medicine deployment and early detection technologies.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop organized by the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, highlighted key initiatives being rolled out by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to combat cancer and strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.
Dr. Salako disclosed that as part of the 2025 budget, the Federal Government is constructing Cancer Centres of Excellence across the six geopolitical zones, with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, selected for the second phase of implementation.
“We are investing in a comprehensive approach, one that involves treatment, research, early detection, and capacity building. These centers will be equipped with cutting-edge nuclear medicine tools to provide timely diagnosis and intervention,” the minister said.
Key Components of the Initiative:
- Cancer Centres of Excellence: Six world-class centres to be established across the geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
- National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment: A specialized body to coordinate and advance cancer research in the country.
- Nuclear Medicine Deployment: A Technical Working Group, inaugurated in February 2025, is developing national guidelines and policies to standardize the deployment of nuclear medicine services.
- Cancer Screening Services with Oncoseek: A significant milestone is the introduction of Oncoseek, a blood-based test capable of detecting nine high-mortality cancers, including:
- Breast
- Colorectal
- Esophageal
- Liver
- Lung
- Lymphoma
- Ovarian
- Pancreatic
- Stomach cancer
The minister noted that early detection through screening remains the most cost-effective strategy for cancer prevention and control.
“Tools like Oncoseek offer great promise. They are non-invasive, efficient, and can detect cancers even at pre-cancerous stages. We must prioritize their deployment at the community level”, Dr. Salako emphasized.
He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the Technical Working Group and other stakeholders in ensuring that nuclear medicine and early cancer screening become accessible, affordable and sustainable across Nigeria.
