The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through its National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), on Monday launched the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Fund to support cancer patients in the South-East.
The initiative, titled “Removing Barriers to Cancer Care: Supporting Access to Life-Saving Treatment,” identified 21 beneficiaries across the five South-East states for the first phase of support.
Newsextra24reports that each beneficiary is expected to receive N100,000 from the fund totaling N2.1 million.
Flagging off the programme at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said the initiative was aimed at addressing the socio-economic challenges that hinder access to cancer treatment.
Salako, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Daju Kachollom, said the launch in Enugu followed the successful inauguration of the programme in the North-Central zone in Abuja.
He said the Federal Government planned to extend the initiative to all six geopolitical zones to ensure equitable access to cancer care nationwide.
According to him, health outcomes are influenced not only by the availability of healthcare services but also by social and economic conditions that affect patients’ ability to access and benefit from treatment.
“For many cancer patients and their families, the journey from diagnosis to treatment is often complicated by challenges such as transportation costs, accommodation difficulties, loss of income, nutritional needs and psychosocial support.
“Addressing these barriers is essential if we are to achieve equitable and sustainable cancer care,” she said.
Salako noted that the initiative aligned with the Nigeria National Cancer Control Plan (2026–2030) and the broader health sector reforms aimed at reducing both the physical and financial burden of ill health on Nigerians.
He said that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had continued to expand access to affordable cancer services through investments in treatment infrastructure, free cancer screening programmes, subsidised treatment services and the Cancer Health Fund.
The minister commended the NCCP Technical Working Group (TWG) for establishing a transparent and evidence-based verification process to ensure that support reached the most vulnerable cancer patients.
He called on philanthropists, development partners, corporate organisations and civil society groups to support the initiative and help expand its reach.
“The fight against cancer cannot be won by government alone. It requires collective action, compassion, innovation and sustained commitment from all sectors of society,” she said.
In his welcome address, the Chief Medical Director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Prof. Obinna Onodugo, described the launch of the SDOH programme as a major shift in healthcare delivery.
Onodugo said the initiative recognised the need to tackle non-medical factors such as poverty, education, environment and community infrastructure that significantly affected health outcomes.
“We are moving beyond the traditional treatment of illness to aggressively address the conditions in which people are born, grow, work and age.
“To achieve universal health coverage, we must tackle the root causes of health inequalities,” Onodugo said.
He commended the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for prioritising cancer care and addressing challenges faced by vulnerable patients.
Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS), Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, represented by the Chairman of NCS in Enugu State, Dr Samson Ezea, described the initiative as a landmark intervention in Nigeria’s cancer control efforts.
Omonisi said the fund represented hope for cancer patients who often struggled with transportation, accommodation, feeding and other social challenges that affected treatment outcomes.
“We are not merely launching a fund; we are launching hope.
“For many cancer patients, the greatest challenge is not always the diagnosis itself but the circumstances surrounding access to care,” he said.
He urged healthcare providers, oncology centres, social workers and patient navigators to identify and support eligible beneficiaries.
He called on development partners and corporate organisations to support the sustainability of the initiative.
In his remarks, the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said the state government had adopted a comprehensive approach to addressing social determinants of health through economic empowerment and massive investments in healthcare infrastructure.
Ugwu said Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration was implementing policies aimed at reducing poverty and improving access to healthcare across the state.
He disclosed that the state was constructing Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres in all the 260 political wards and upgrading secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities as well as building of international hospital to support cancer patients.
The South East Liaison, NCCP Technical Working Group, Emeritus Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, expressed optimism for stronger collaboration that would benefit Nigeria’s growing patient population.
Thanking the participants, Okoye said that the gathering brought together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including faith-based organisations, traditional rulers, healthcare professionals, academia, media and development partners.
On his part, the Anglican Bishop of Ikwo in Ebonyi State, Rt. Rev. Ken Ifemere, emphasised the critical role of the Church in promoting cancer awareness, supporting patients, and providing hope to those battling the disease.
Ifemere shared his personal experience as a prostate cancer survivor, describing the disease as aggressive and urging greater attention to early detection and treatment.
“I am a survivor of prostate cancer,” the bishop said. “Prostate cancer can be very aggressive, but with proper medical care, faith, and support, people can overcome it.”
Responding on behalf of cancer survivors, Mr Daniel Oforbike expressed profound gratitude to the ministry for its generous support, describing it as a significant source of encouragement on their unexpected cancer journey.
He noted that the burden of living with cancer is enormous and said survivors were deeply grateful to feel recognised and supported.
