Imo First Lady Calls For Increased Cancer Fund To Protect Vulnerable Nigerians

Imo State First Lady and chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), Barr Chioma Uzodinma, has urged the federal government to increase the Nigerian Cancer Health Fund to expand coverage and ease the financial burden on vulnerable Nigerians battling cancer.

Mrs Uzodinma made the call yesterday at a World Cancer Day symposium  organised by Project Pink Blue, themed: “Cancer, Conflicts and Insecurity in Nigeria: Ensuring Access to Cancer Care for Vulnerable Communities,” in Abuja.

She stressed that the current cancer funding framework should cover a wider range of cancers and provide subsidised treatment for indigent patients, noting that many families face catastrophic out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

The FLAC chairperson also urged stakeholders to intensify community and radio-based awareness campaigns to combat misinformation, reduce stigma, and encourage early cancer detection and prompt treatment.

She called for stronger implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan across states to align federal priorities with sub-national health interventions.

Advocating for financial protection under the National Health Insurance Scheme, Uzodinma highlighted Imo State as a model, where registered residents currently enjoy free cancer screening.

“In Imo State today, under the insurance scheme, once you are registered, you can receive free cancer screening, all types of cancer screening. We advocate for more states to follow suit,” she said.

Uzodinma also called for policy reforms to retain oncology professionals through incentives, improved working conditions, and career development opportunities, warning that brain drain is weakening Nigeria’s cancer response capacity.

She urged expansion of the recent executive order granting zero tax on pharmaceutical inputs to ensure affordable, quality cancer medicines reach conflict-prone and underserved communities.

She emphasised that long-term cancer control requires multi-sectoral partnerships involving government agencies, private organisations, and international partners.

She further stressed the need for sustained investment in local research, data systems, and the proposed National Cancer Registries to enable evidence-based decisions.

Uzodinma called for nationwide survivor support networks to provide psychosocial care, patient navigation, and economic empowerment initiatives.

“The fight against cancer in Nigeria calls for unity in the face of our unique and complex challenges. I urge all stakeholders to commit to these shared solutions while honouring survivors, caregivers, and healthcare workers,” she said.

Also speaking, former Abia North Senator, Mao Ohabunwa described cancer treatment as a national emergency, particularly in conflict-affected areas where insecurity has hindered access to care, worsening mortality rates.

A breast cancer survivor and Project Pink Blue patient navigator, Mercy Spoporuchi, echoed these concerns, citing the lack of functional cancer treatment centres in many states.

“Imagine if we had hospitals in every state. Patients would not travel over 500 kilometres to access care,” she said, noting that insecurity and limited access continue to endanger patients and survivors.