NCS advocates operationalisation of Cancer Health fund

Source: Tribune Online
Author: Joseph Abasi-Abasi

The Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) has advocated for increased healthcare funding, the implementation of the vulnerable fund, and the Cancer Health fund to support underprivileged individuals in accessing cancer care, aiming to close the gap in cancer treatment within the country.

Dr. Adamu Al Hassan Umar, the President of the NCS, revealed this information during a recent visit to the Asi Ukpo Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calabar.

He explained that the Cancer Health fund created by the Federal Government aims to support underserved cancer patients, specifically focusing on Breast, Cervical, and Prostate Cancers in men. He also mentioned that there are plans to increase the number of hospitals covered by the fund and include additional types of cancer in the future.

While emphasising that cancer treatment is expensive, Umar also highlighted the existence of a specific fund known as the 'Vulnerable Fund' from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). This fund is allocated annually to support vulnerable age groups facing various diseases, not limited to cancer. It is designed to benefit a total of 72,000,000 Nigerians.

"Part of the projections we are making is to have big cancer centres that are privately owned to also be part of this funds so that vulnerable Nigerians will get to benefit. We hope to see implementation in that regard so that more people will access cancer care and get to benefit from the good policies of government.

The president of the NCS expressed concern about the high financial burden of cancer care, stating that many cancer patients are struggling and facing mortality due to the inability to afford adequate treatment.

"We have gone round this center today, we have seen specialists doing the work of humanity, doing selfless work that money cannot buy.

After the tour of the facility, the Executive Director of Asi Ukpo Hospital, Dr. Yegwa Ukpo revealed that the Comprehensive Cancer Centre was a project initiated by the late Brig. Gen. Anthony S. I. Ukpo (Rtd.). Driven by his personal experiences as a cancer survivor and the loss of three siblings to the disease, he was committed to establishing a top-notch oncology hospital in his hometown.

Listing the obstacles faced by their private cancer centre, he expressed, "Treating cancer comes with a high cost, so we are exploring options to secure funding from NHIA and other stakeholders to alleviate the financial strain on patients in need of our services. Our expansion plans hinge greatly on adequate funding."

"The comprehensive in our name is not just a title. Our goal is to become a one-stop shop for anything cancer-related, hopefully in the next few years, we are hoping to see that come to pass.

Dr. Yekwa Ukpo, recently named a Life Member by the Nigerian Cancer Society, expressed thankfulness to the organization, seeing it as an indication of future positive developments.