As the federal government intensifies effort to reduce cancer related deaths in the country, the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has called for more funding for treatment of childhood cancer.
Director-general NICRIT, Dr Usman Aliyu, made the call during an interactive session organised by NICRAT, in collaboration with the International Society of Media on Public Health, in Abuja.
NICRAT was established through the NICRAT establishment act 2017, to provide national leadership in cancer research, treatment and control in Nigeria.
It is also empowered to guide scientific improvement to cancer prevention, treatment and care.
The federal government allocated N200 million to the CHF in the 2024 budget for the treatment of indigent cancer patients.
The DG stated that efforts are ongoing to increase the fund in the coming years, adding that a separate amount would be set aside for childhood cancer.
He also disclosed that a committee has been set up by the federal government to oversee the cancer health fund.
For visibility, he said NICRIT was changing the narrative by employing the patient-navigation and referral system so that the patient can get on board easily and get on the platform.
Also, he said the institute was set to establish a comprehensive national cancer registry and data system to enable the country have a centralised cancer database.
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