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FG To Include Cancer Treatment In Health Insurance Scheme

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2024

The Federal Government on Monday said efforts were ongoing to include cancer treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

This is to ensure adequate and affordable healthcare services for citizens diagnosed with cancer.

The National Coordinator, Cancer Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Uche Nwokwu, disclosed this at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association Cancer Awareness Summit, in commemoration of the Year 2024 World Cancer Day.

Nwokwu noted that the government has in place the Cancer Health Funds which provides comprehensive cancer care for patients.

According to him, over 2,445 patients had been registered for the scheme while over 750 patients are currently being funded.

He said, “We understand that one of the major things cancer affects is the pockets of the affected affected families and communities. Cancer is capable of impoverishing anybody. Nobody has the capacity on their own to afford cancer care anywhere in the world not just in Nigeria.

“The government is taking steps to ensure that it is included in the health insurance which is one of the major areas that people can afford to to assess the care and pay for it.

“We also understand that since not everybody is yet on health insurance, the one has provided what they call cancer health funds, the fund provides comprehensive cancer care. As we speak over 2,445 patients are registered and over 750 have been funded. The fund provides treatment for surgery, chemotherapy, and therapy and its centre is at the National Hospital. We also have a mandate of the minister to go across the country.”

Nwoku added that the government had also entered into partnerships with Non-governmental Organisations to subsidise the cost of chemotherapies.

Close care gap for cancer patients, association urges government.
“The government also partnered with some NGOs and other sector players to reduce the costs of chemotherapies which are also very expensive,” he added.

The Wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mariya Lagbaja, noted that lack of awareness and access to quality health care among others have widened the care gap for cancer patients.

Lagbaja said, “As we are all aware, some of these gaps include limited access to quality healthcare facilities, financial restrictions faced by patients, and limited awareness regarding the Disease.

“Without any doubt, the lack of awareness most especially, has serious consequences, as it prevents many people from seeking early diagnosis and prompt treatment.”

She, however, urged Nigerians to undergo regular screenings and actively participate in raising awareness about the disease.

Lagbaja said, “As we commemorate this event, let us remember that our collective efforts have the power to make a difference. By spreading awareness, advocating for regular screenings, and supporting those affected by Cancer, we can contribute to a future where this disease no longer claims lives.”

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.

The National Cancer Control Plan (2018–2022) stated that cancer causes 72,000 annual deaths in Nigeria, with approximately 102,000 new cases each year.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.