By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives has urged the federal government to urgently create additional cancer treatment centres across the country in order to ease the suffering of cancer patients.
The House also called for more radiotherapy machines to fast-track the screening of people suffering from the ailment.
This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved during Wednesday’s plenary by Aderemi Oseni.
In his lead debate on the motion, Oseni described cancer as a growing public health crisis in the country and emphasised that the rising cost of treatment is mounting more pressure on family and friends of the sufferers.
“The scourge of cancer is fast spreading among Nigerians.
“Reports show that in 2020, about 125,000 people were diagnosed with various types of cancer, with breast, prostate and cervical cancers being the most common,” Oseni added.
The lawmaker explained that treatment of the disease ranges from tens of millions of naira to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, depending on the type and stage of cancer, treatment methods, as well as the patient’s medical history.
He expressed concern over the limited availability of radiotherapy machines and the expensive, complex supply chain for cancer medications, which has made its treatment unaffordable for many Nigerians.
“There is a dangerous perception that cancer is a disease for the rich or a death sentence. That is no longer the case. It affects both the rich and the poor,” he said.
He emphasised the need for public funding, describing it as the most sustainable and equitable way to finance cancer care and ease the burden on patients.
Consequently, the House, while adopting the motion, mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other relevant agencies to develop a framework for federal intervention.
