The Nigerian Government has announced that N37.4 billion has been allocated for the Federal Ministry of Health Oncology Initiative to deliver six cancer centres across the country in two years.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a recent statement.

He noted that the centres will take off across six teaching hospitals that have been earmarked for the initiative, covering all geopolitical zones.

The designated teaching hospitals are University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital and Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Additionally, he stated that plans are underway to establish a central oversight committee comprising specialists to supervise project implementation and fund allocation, towards ensuring optimal resource utilisation.

The minister explained that the initiative results from the partnership agreement between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA.

“We will collaborate closely with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) to ensure effective monitoring and implementation.

“Transparency will be paramount, with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), media, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) playing pivotal roles in monitoring spending and preventing misappropriation of funds,” he said.