By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nneka Chidoka Outreach Program (NCOP) has embarked on a nationwide campaign to advocate for increased funding for cancer care in Nigeria’s 2025 budget.
With a staggering 124,000 new cancer cases reported annually, the current lack of adequate funding has resulted in many Nigerians being denied access to life-saving treatment.
Despite efforts by the Federal Ministry of Health, including the Cancer Health Fund (CHF) and the National Cancer Access Partnership (NCAP), limited funding and infrastructure gaps have restricted the benefits to only a fraction of cancer patients.
To address this, NCOP is collaborating with the Ministry and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) to urge lawmakers to allocate more funds for cancer care during the 2025 budget deliberations.
The campaign’s key objectives include securing ₦25 billion to transition the Cancer Health Fund into the Catastrophic Health Insurance Fund for sustainable cancer care, closing the ₦97 billion funding gap for completing six Cancer Centers of Excellence under the National Oncology Initiative, and expanding funding for NCAP to ensure more Nigerians have access to affordable cancer medications.
Osita Chidoka, Founder of NCOP, noted the importance of collective action, saying “Cancer is a battle we must fight together. We are urging all Nigerians to take a stand by signing this petition.
“With your support, we can push for meaningful investments in cancer care and give hope to thousands of families.”
To support the campaign, individuals can sign the petition and share the message on social media using the hashtag #FundCancerCare2025.By working together, NCOP aims to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in the fight against cancer.
The organization is committed to transforming Nigeria’s healthcare landscape and improving access to cancer care through early diagnosis, advocacy, and funding support.
With the help of Nigerians, NCOP hopes to make a significant impact and bring about positive change in the lives of those affected by cancer.