Nigeria pushes continental efforts to reduce cancer deaths

File photo: The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako.

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The Federal Government has called for stronger Pan-African collaboration to tackle the continent’s growing cancer burden, warning that cancer now kills more Africans annually than HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made the call on Saturday while addressing delegates at the Africa Oncology Collaboration and Innovation Forum in Luxor, Egypt.

The event, tagged “The Organiser of the Africa Oncology Collaboration and Innovation Forum 2025”, was organised by the forum’s planning committee in partnership with Egyptian oncology institutions, African oncology networks, and development partners.

According to Salako, Africa recorded 1.18 million new cancer cases and 763,843 deaths in 2022, based on GLOBOCAN data.

He described the figures as “an unacceptable burden requiring collective continental action.”

He noted that Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa jointly account for the highest number of cancer cases in Africa, with Nigeria alone responsible for over 10.5 per cent of the continent’s total cancer burden.

He attributed the rising incidence to lifestyle factors, ageing populations, late diagnosis, weak early detection systems, and gaps in treatment infrastructure.

The minister commended the organisers for advancing the African Union Agenda 2063 vision of an integrated Africa, and praised Shefa Alorman Hospital in Luxor, which delegates toured earlier in the day, describing it as: “A phenomenal creation Africans should be proud of.”

He highlighted reforms in Nigeria’s cancer control system over the past 31 months under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting increased budgetary allocations for cancer prevention and care, the establishment of six new cancer centres of excellence, and procurement of specialised oncology equipment.

Salako disclosed that Nigeria had developed two new strategic documents to guide national cancer control: the National Nuclear Medicine Policy and Strategic Plan, and the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2026. He said the plans align with global initiatives, including the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative, the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, and the UICC Global Cancer Declaration.

He added, “It will serve as a guide for every oncology stakeholder in Nigeria, from policymakers to researchers, private sector partners, non-governmental organisations and even survivors.”

On cervical cancer, the minister reported significant progress: nearly 15 million girls aged 9 to 14 years have been vaccinated against HPV since its inclusion in Nigeria’s routine immunisation programme in 2023.

He also said the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination aims to screen at least 50 per cent of eligible women and treat all detected precancerous lesions by 2027.

Addressing the financial challenges of cancer care, Dr. Salako said Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Programme is finalising a scheme covering cancer treatment.

“The country is also implementing a National Cancer Health Fund and has supported the Nigeria Cancer Society to establish a private sector-led cancer intervention fund,” he added.

He urged African countries to prioritise “Healthcare Pan-Africanism”, emphasizing collaboration, resource-sharing, and unified strategies. Dr. Salako reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the emerging Africa Oncology Network, describing it as: “A critical tool for a unified continental response.”

He concluded: “Nigeria is ready to contribute to entrench the spirit of oncology collaboration that bridges borders, shares resources and information, and focuses on a jointly-developed roadmap to reduce cancer incidence and mortality.”

Salako stressed that the initiative should involve policymakers, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, entrepreneurs, and technology firms, with a focus on “value-based care and equity.”

NAN

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