In a bid to ease the heavy financial strain on patients, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to subsidize cancer medications and treatment services.
The resolution, passed during Wednesday’s plenary, also calls for free cancer screenings across the country, the expansion of treatment facilities, and increased availability of radiotherapy machines.
The motion was sponsored by Aderemi Oseni, lawmaker representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency in Oyo State.
His appeal comes in response to recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO), revealing a staggering global cancer burden.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, disclosed in February that at least 40 people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer every minute.
Oseni emphasized the government’s duty to safeguard citizens’ health, pointing out that cancer remains a major public health crisis in Nigeria, where many cannot afford life-saving treatments.
“It is the government’s responsibility to protect the welfare and well-being of its citizens,” he stated, highlighting the urgent need for accessible and affordable care.
Leave a comment