By FOLASADE AKPAN

The Federal Government on Wednesday inaugurated the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Fund for cancer patients and approved N50 million to support beneficiaries nationwide.

The initiative aims to provide equitable, accountable and timely assistance for treatment access.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, announced the approval in Abuja, saying the fund would address non-medical barriers preventing patients from accessing and completing cancer treatment across Nigeria.

Salako said many cancer patients faced challenges with transportation, feeding and accommodation costs, often leading to delayed treatment and poor health outcomes.

He noted that the intervention would help bridge critical support gaps.

“SDOH are those non-medical factors that significantly influence access to healthcare and determine outcomes of healthcare delivery.

“Many people still find it difficult to initiate and complete treatment due to their inability to bear costs.”

The minister said the initiative was approved following recommendations by the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group (TWG).

He added that it would complement existing cancer interventions and strengthen patient support mechanisms.

According to Salako, the fund was inaugurated during Cancer Survivors Month to demonstrate government’s commitment to supporting patients beyond clinical treatment.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s target of reducing the national cancer burden by 2030.

“In recognition of the exemplary contributions of members of the TWG, I have approved the sum of N50 million as the contribution of the ministry toward implementation of the SDOH initiative.

“I have directed the TWG to ensure that all those who have applied and been verified get at least N100,000 to address some barriers to accessing cancer care,” the minister stated.

Salako said that more than 400 cancer patients had applied for support, while over 200 had already been verified.

He added that beneficiaries would receive payments within their geopolitical zones nationwide.

Permanent Secretary, Ms Daju Kachollom, described the initiative as a practical intervention addressing challenges confronting cancer patients.

She emphasised that health outcomes depended not only on treatment but also on accessibility.

“For many cancer patients, barriers such as transportation costs, accommodation challenges, loss of income, nutrition needs and limited social support significantly affect their ability to complete treatment,” Kachollom said.

She said that the initiative aligned with the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) 2026–2030 and reflected government’s commitment to patient-centred cancer care, ensuring support extended beyond hospital-based treatment services.

Chairperson of the NCCP Technical Working Group, Prof. Folakemi Odedina, described the programme as a major milestone in translating Nigeria’s national cancer strategy into practical action and measurable patient support.

“Today represents an important milestone in ensuring that no Nigerian is denied cancer care because of non-medical barriers,” Odedina said, noting that several implementation structures had already been established nationwide.

She said the TWG had inaugurated advisory councils, integration hubs, communication platforms and programme delivery units.

According to her, nationwide engagement channels would ensure transparency, accountability and stakeholder participation.

Odedina added that the initiative placed patients at the centre of cancer control efforts through transportation support, accommodation assistance and treatment navigation services designed to improve treatment completion and outcomes.

President of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, said the fund would address longstanding social barriers preventing patients from accessing care in spite of investments in modern oncology facilities nationwide.

“Government built cancer centres and equipped them with modern oncology facilities, but nobody thought about supporting patients to get to those centres.

“Many patients travel long distances and some even sleep on hospital premises because they cannot afford accommodation,” he said, while urging philanthropists, development partners and corporate organisations to support the initiative.

Cancer survivor, Mercy Agu, welcomed the intervention, describing it as a major relief for patients struggling with treatment costs.

She said financial support would strengthen hope and improve treatment adherence.

“To be sincere, cancer treatment is very expensive. If these supports do not come for us, I do not think we can keep up the hope of fighting,” Agu said.

Another cancer survivor and President of the Network of People Impacted by Cancer in Nigeria (NEPICIN), Gloria Nwadiogu, said the initiative recognised patients as individuals beyond their medical conditions and treatment.

“This fund is special because it moved away from treatment and is talking about our lives itself. It is taking us away from being just patients and recognising us as human beings.”

“I see it as humanising care,” Nwadiogu said.

NAN reports that the SDOH Fund is being implemented under the NCCP 2026–2030 to help patients overcome non-medical barriers to cancer care.(NAN)

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