The chairmen of the Health Committees of the National Assembly have called on the Federal Government to take the lead in cancer care initiatives throughout the country.

This appeal was made during a legislative dialogue on health held in Lagos, organized by Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health in the 9th National Assembly.

Amos Magaji, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Health Care Services, spoke on behalf of the other chairmen, emphasizing the substantial cost of cancer care that cannot be borne by individuals alone. Magaji stressed the necessity for the government to provide support to institutions like the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) in order to bring cancer care to the general public and grassroots level.

Regina Akume, Chairperson of the House Committee on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), also pledged to utilize her contacts and experience as the wife of a former governor of Benue State to ensure that rural communities have access to cancer care through NICRAT.

Prof. Usman Aliyu, Director-General of NICRAT, described the institute as a game changer in the Nigerian cancer landscape. He highlighted the lack of proper coordination in past efforts to address cancer care despite the resources invested by the Federal Government and other partners. Aliyu emphasized that NICRAT, established by the government, has already demonstrated that addressing cancer care challenges is not an insurmountable task. He appealed for the support of the legislators to transform NICRAT into a world-class institute capable of meeting the cancer healthcare needs of all Nigerians.

The meeting was attended by the chairmen of the five health-related committees of the House of Representatives, as well as representatives of the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Health.