The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has announced that three major cancer facilities equipped with advanced technology will be commissioned by May 2025. 

This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to enhance cancer care and improve healthcare infrastructure across Nigeria.

Speaking during an interview on Monday, Pate described the development as unprecedented in the nation’s history. 

“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, six major cancer infrastructure and equipment investments were approved by Mr. President [President Bola Tinubu] early last year. Three of these facilities are already underway and will be ready by May 2025 for commissioning. Nigeria has never had it this good,” he stated.

The new cancer facilities will feature state-of-the-art medical equipment, including linear accelerators, brachytherapy machines, and advanced diagnostic tools, ensuring access to high-quality cancer care. 

Pate emphasized that these facilities would provide the level of tertiary care required by cancer patients, reducing the need for treatment abroad and making care more affordable and accessible within the country.

In addition to these projects, the minister revealed that 10 major cancer diagnostic centres had been flagged off across the country five months ago to improve early detection and diagnosis. 

Furthermore, 201 tertiary healthcare facilities have undergone significant infrastructural upgrades and equipment installations over the past year. These improvements include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners, Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, and anaesthesia equipment.

Prof. Pate noted that these initiatives align with President Tinubu’s health reform agenda, which prioritizes strengthening healthcare systems and addressing critical health challenges, including cancer. He assured Nigerians that the government remains committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes nationwide.