According to Uche Nwokwu, National Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Health’s Cancer Control Program, the Federal Government has finalized preparations to incorporate cancer treatment into the National Health Insurance Scheme.
He claims that this is done to guarantee that residents with cancer receive appropriate and reasonably priced healthcare services.
In honor of World Cancer Day in 2024, he made this revelation at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association Cancer Awareness Summit.
He stated, “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.
Speaking further, 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 also partnered with some NGOs and other sector players to reduce the costs of chemotherapies which are also very expensive,” he added
On her own part, 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.