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 each year than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, made the call in Luxor, Egypt, while addressing delegates at the Africa Oncology Collaboration and Innovation Forum, organised with Egyptian oncology institutions, African networks and development partners.
Citing GLOBOCAN 2022 data, he said Africa recorded 1.18 million new cancer cases and 763,843 deaths, describing this as an unacceptable burden that demands coordinated continental action.
Salako noted that Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa account for the highest cancer numbers in Africa, with Nigeria alone responsible for over 10.5 per cent of the continent’s total cancer burden, driven by lifestyle changes, ageing, late diagnosis, weak screening and gaps in treatment infrastructure.
He highlighted reforms undertaken in Nigeria over the past 31 months, including increased cancer budgets, establishment of six new cancer centres of excellence and procurement of specialised oncology equipment, as part of President Bola Tinubu’s health agenda.
The minister said Nigeria has developed two key strategic documents—the National Nuclear Medicine Policy and Strategic Plan and the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030—set for launch in early 2026 and aligned with WHO and global cancer initiatives.
He explained that the new plan will guide all oncology stakeholders, from policymakers and researchers to NGOs, private sector partners and survivors, to drive a unified response to cancer nationwide.
On cervical cancer, Salako reported that nearly 15 million girls aged 9 to 14 have received HPV vaccines since their inclusion in routine immunisation in 2023 and that a national task force aims to screen at least 50 per cent of eligible women and treat all detected precancerous lesions by 2027.
To ease the financial burden of treatment, he said Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Programme is finalising a cancer care package, while a National Cancer Health Fund and a private sector led intervention fund supported by the Nigeria Cancer Society are being implemented.
Salako urged African countries to embrace “Healthcare Pan Africanism” through collaboration, resource sharing and unified strategies, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the emerging Africa Oncology Network as a critical tool for a joint continental response.
He stressed that the initiative must involve policymakers, health workers, pharmaceutical firms, entrepreneurs and technology companies, all working towards value based, equitable cancer care across Africa.
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