The Federal Government has approved the procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators as part of a major effort to strengthen cancer treatment and improve access to radiotherapy services across Nigeria.
The approval is expected to increase the country’s capacity to provide radiation treatment for cancer patients, particularly as the government continues to work towards expanding specialised healthcare services and reducing the difficulties many patients face when seeking cancer care.
The new machines are expected to be procured between 2027 and 2029 under the government’s broader cancer control programme. Linear accelerators are important medical equipment used in radiotherapy to deliver precisely targeted radiation to cancerous cells while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissues...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed the development in Abuja while receiving members of the Global Advisory Council of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group.
According to the minister, the approval forms part of the Federal Government’s implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan 2026 to 2030, which is aimed at improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and overall patient care in the country.
Cancer treatment remains a major healthcare challenge in Nigeria, with patients often requiring specialised services that may not be readily available in every part of the country. Limited access to radiotherapy equipment has also been identified as one of the challenges affecting cancer care.
The planned procurement of additional linear accelerators could therefore represent an important step towards expanding treatment capacity and making radiotherapy services more accessible to Nigerians.
The Federal Government is also working on six cancer centres across the country. Three of the centres have reportedly been completed, while construction is continuing at the remaining three facilities.
The development of additional cancer centres, alongside the planned installation of new radiotherapy equipment, is expected to strengthen the country’s infrastructure for managing cancer and other conditions that require advanced medical treatment.
The government has also inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium, a platform designed to bring healthcare professionals and other relevant stakeholders together to improve the management of blood cancers in Nigeria.
The initiative is expected to encourage greater collaboration among specialists, healthcare institutions and other stakeholders involved in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
For many Nigerian families, improved cancer treatment infrastructure could have significant implications. Patients who currently have to travel long distances to access specialised services may eventually have more treatment options closer to their communities as additional facilities become operational.
However, providing the equipment alone will not be enough to completely address the challenges facing cancer care. Effective maintenance, reliable electricity, trained medical personnel, adequate funding and proper distribution of facilities will also be necessary to ensure that the machines remain functional and accessible to patients.
The success of the programme will therefore depend not only on the procurement of the 35 linear accelerators but also on how effectively the equipment is installed, maintained and integrated into Nigeria’s wider healthcare system.
The Federal Government’s latest move signals an attempt to address some of the infrastructure gaps in cancer treatment while implementing the National Cancer Control Plan for the 2026 to 2030 period.
If successfully implemented, the expansion could provide more Nigerians with access to radiotherapy and contribute to a stronger national cancer treatment system in the years ahead.
