Private sector indispensable to strengthening cancer care in Nigeria – NICRAT DG

Mr Aliyu said public-private partnerships (PPP) were already improving radiotherapy services, adding that many operational cancer centres in the country currently function through collaborative arrangements.

The Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Usman Aliyu, has said the private sector remains critical to strengthening healthcare systems and reducing Nigeria’s cancer burden.

Mr Aliyu stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at a two-day Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building Programme organised by Innova Healthcare Nigeria Ltd., themed “Innova Healthcare Nigeria – Bringing the Total Oncology Solution.”

He said meaningful progress in cancer control requires strategic partnerships, innovation, and sustained investment across the cancer care continuum, adding that collaboration is essential to improving access to quality treatment nationwide.

The NICRAT boss described the engagement as a critical intervention for advancing cancer control in Nigeria, noting that emerging technologies continue to reshape diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare delivery systems.

“Today’s activities give an insight into what Innova is doing. Indirectly, it is a kind of human resource development and assistance to the country in strengthening the operational capability of doctors,” he said.

Mr Aliyu said public-private partnerships (PPP) were already improving radiotherapy services, adding that many operational cancer centres in the country currently function through collaborative arrangements.

According to him, nearly half of the radiotherapy centres providing cancer treatment in Nigeria operate under PPP models, underscoring the growing role of the private sector in oncology care.

He said NICRAT, through the Nigeria Cancer Access Partnership (NCAP) and the National Cancer Health Fund (NCHF), had supported more than 10,000 Nigerians with treatment, diagnostics and essential medicines.

Mr Aliyu added that more than 2,000 healthcare professionals had been trained across disciplines, while telemedicine services and access to radiotherapy were being expanded through investments in infrastructure and workforce development.

He further said that NICRAT was preparing to inaugurate Nigeria’s first National Cancer Burden Report, which will provide comprehensive data on the country’s cancer landscape and emerging disease trends.

According to him, the report would guide policy formulation, resource allocation, programme implementation and investment decisions aimed at accelerating national efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer effectively.

Partnerships

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, said partnerships remained central to achieving Nigeria’s cancer control targets and improving access to care.

Represented by Uche Nwokwu, National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme, Mr Salako said that government efforts alone would not be sufficient to meet the growing demand for cancer care.

“We also rely on collaborations with our partners to improve access to cancer care in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Salako said the National Cancer Control Plan aimed to reduce Nigeria’s cancer burden by 50 per cent by 2030 through improved screening, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship interventions nationwide.

He added that the Cancer Access Partnership Programme currently provides subsidised anti-cancer medicines at more than 24 hospitals across the country, helping improve affordability and treatment access.

“The problem is not just treatment. Some patients struggle with transportation, accommodation and feeding costs, which significantly increase the burden of care.”

Wong Kai Tan, Business Development Director of Innova Healthcare Nigeria Ltd., said the company remained committed to improving treatment outcomes and addressing critical gaps in oncology services.

Mr Tan said Nigeria continued to face shortages in radiotherapy equipment and specialised personnel, including radiation oncologists, medical physicists and radiation therapists needed for effective cancer treatment delivery.

“We are here to bridge the two countries together, to bridge the two worlds together, to make sure we are able to deliver care much better.”

He said Innova was exploring partnerships to promote technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and workforce development between Nigeria and Singapore to strengthen oncology service delivery.

Mr Tan added that the company intended to provide end-to-end oncology solutions, including infrastructure development, equipment installation and professional training for healthcare workers across Nigeria.

The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Ikenna Njoku, said the initiative would help reduce medical tourism and make cancer treatment more affordable nationwide for Nigerians.

“What Innova has started is something that has been bothering Nigerians over the years.

“Medical tourism is going to reduce drastically and bring treatment costs to a level many Nigerians can afford,” he added.

Also speaking, Chinedu Aruah, Senior Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist at the National Hospital Abuja, said efforts to strengthen oncology workforce capacity would improve cancer care delivery.

“A lot of people are willing to work, but incentives elsewhere are often better. As the government improves the status of the workforce, things are going to take better shape.”

Mr Aruah described the engagement as a positive development that would improve access to radiotherapy services and help reduce treatment delays for cancer patients nationwide. (NAN)