FG expands cancer care amid social media concerns over FMC Jabi

The federal government has said that, contrary to claims circulating in a social media video, it is actively expanding access to quality cancer care across Nigeria, including ongoing improvements at the Oncology Department of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja.

According to the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), the video, while highlighting staff dedication, misrepresented the current state of infrastructure and services at the facility.

The Institute clarified that FMC Jabi is not one of the 12 tertiary hospitals officially designated as Cancer Centres of Excellence under the government’s nationwide oncology strategy.

Director General (DG) of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, asserted in a statement on Monday, that “It is also worth noting that cancer care has received considerable attention by the President Tinubu-led government since the establishment of NICRAT two years ago, specifically, to drive improvements in cancer research, treatment, prevention, and control across Nigeria.

“In 2024, for the first time in the nation’s history, NICRAT got a dedicated budget for cancer control.”

According to him, the dedicated budget has enabled significant investments in infrastructure upgrades, specialized training, and the expansion of state-of-the-art oncology services across six geopolitical zones, while noting that the measures aim to strengthen cancer care delivery, enhance service efficiency, and ensure patient safety.

While noting that the improvements are already reflected in the appreciation expressed toward oncology staff at FMC Jabi in the same viral video, the DG pointed out that, under NICRAT’s coordination, the government has designated 12 hospitals nationwide as Cancer Centres of Excellence, recognized as first-class facilities for cancer care.

He said that though FMC Jabi is not currently among the designated centres, it is part of the Preventive Oncology Programme, a novel initiative designed to support its development into a regional hub for advanced cancer care in the Federal Capital Territory.

“The Federal Government remains committed to supporting ongoing expansions in oncology services at FMC Jabi to meet international standards of care,” Aliyu said.

The government, he said, has also placed orders for additional state-of-the-art oncology equipment to be installed in all Centres of Excellence, ensuring consistent access to high-quality services.

He said, “Also, NICRAT is aggressively implementing programmes to build a robust oncology workforce through continuous professional development and specialized training for doctors, nurses, radiographers, physicists, biomedical engineers, cancer registrars, and other health professionals, and strengthening cancer surveillance through the expansion of population-based cancer registries and digital reporting systems to generate accurate data for planning and research.

“NICRAT has also mapped out strategies to enhance access to essential cancer medicines through regulatory harmonization, quality-assurance mechanisms, and initiatives such as the Nigerian Cancer Access Partnership (NCAP) and the National Cancer Health Fund (NCHF)”.

These interventions underscore a strategic push to strengthen oncology services across the country, demonstrating sustained political will and tangible action toward building a resilient and accessible national cancer care system, he stressed.

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The DG appealed for patience and understanding from cancer patients, reiterating the government’s commitment to transforming cancer care nationwide.

“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, remains committed to improving and transforming cancer care in all parts of Nigeria,” Aliyu said.