The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is expected to enrol all Nigerians, including cancer patients for health insurance.
This assertion was made by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, in Abuja, at a symposium to commemorate the 2024 World Cancer Day.
The symposium organised by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), was themed “Close the care gaps: Operationalising the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan”.
The Government official believes enrolling cancer patients for health insurance will go a long way towards addressing the cost of cancer care in the country.
She revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved provision of new Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine facilities for six Federal Teaching Hospitals across the country in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
To this end, the Health ministry is partnering with Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to ensure prompt execution of the project.
Kachollom pointed out that cancer was a global health menace and its prevalence Nigeria was becoming a matter of grave concern.
“The prevalence of cancer is rising at an alarming rate, posing a significant threat to the health and well-being of our people.
“This is why the government of Nigeria remains deeply committed to the fight against cancer and has made significant strides in recent years towards its control.”
(C) ControlTV 2024.
