The Federal Government has launched a N50 million Social Determinants of Health Fund to support cancer patients facing financial and social challenges that often prevent them from accessing or completing treatment.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, unveiled the initiative on Wednesday in Abuja during the official rollout of the fund’s disbursement programme.
According to the minister, the intervention is designed to assist vulnerable cancer patients struggling with non-medical expenses such as transportation, accommodation, feeding and other social support needs that frequently stand in the way of effective treatment.
Salako revealed that more than 600 cancer patients had applied for assistance under the scheme, while over 200 applicants had already been verified through a screening process involving medical directors and attending physicians at treatment centres across the country.
He explained that each verified beneficiary would receive a minimum of N100,000 to help offset some of the indirect costs associated with cancer care.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will provide an initial contribution of N50 million to the Social Determinants of Health Fund for cancer patients,” Salako said.
He noted that payments would be made directly to beneficiaries to ensure transparency and accountability.
The minister acknowledged that although the government has invested heavily in cancer treatment infrastructure, subsidised services and public awareness campaigns, many patients still face difficulties completing treatment because of expenses outside hospital bills.
He said costs related to transportation, accommodation in cities where specialised treatment centres are located, feeding and inadequate family support often result in delayed treatment, poor adherence to medical care and unfavourable outcomes.
According to him, low-income and vulnerable Nigerians are the most affected by these challenges.
Salako described social determinants of health as a major factor contributing to the financial hardship experienced by cancer patients worldwide.
He explained that the fund was established following recommendations from the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group, which was set up after the launch of Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.
The working group is chaired by Prof. Folakemi Odedina, while Dr. Malami Aliyu serves as co-chair.
The minister commended members of the committee for their commitment, disclosing that several members had personally donated millions of naira to support the initiative.
He urged the group to collaborate closely with existing government programmes aimed at improving financial protection for cancer patients.
Salako said the new fund would complement ongoing interventions, including the Cancer Health Fund, Cancer Access Partnership, Vulnerable Group Fund and the National Cancer Society Cancer Intervention Fund.
Beyond government contributions, he said the programme is expected to attract support from corporate organisations, philanthropists and high-net-worth individuals to help bridge funding gaps in cancer care.
He also stressed the importance of accountability in managing the fund.
“I want to encourage the managers of the fund to ensure transparency, due diligence and accountability in every stage of the disbursement process,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to reducing the country’s cancer burden, Salako said the administration is targeting a 50 per cent reduction in cancer-related deaths by 2030 through expanded prevention, screening and treatment programmes.
He said efforts currently underway include free cancer screening initiatives, improved treatment infrastructure, subsidised chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, as well as stronger patient support systems.
The minister assured cancer patients nationwide that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that a cancer diagnosis does not become a death sentence.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria, with thousands of new cases recorded annually. Health experts have repeatedly highlighted late diagnosis, limited access to specialised treatment centres and high out-of-pocket expenses as major obstacles to effective cancer care.
The newly established Social Determinants of Health Fund is expected to provide critical support for indigent patients while strengthening the implementation of Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.
