The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved roughly ₦10 billion to sustain free HIV/AIDS treatment and improve cancer treatment facilities across Nigeria.
The decision was announced after Wednesday’s FEC meeting at the State House, Abuja, based on two memos from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, told State House correspondents that the funds will secure uninterrupted antiretroviral (ARV) drug supply and modernize radiotherapy services.
In the first approval, ₦9.99 billion was allocated to FixingHealthCare for the procurement of ARV drugs, ensuring continued free access for people living with HIV/AIDS nationwide.
Addressing earlier concerns about potential shortages, Dr. Salako said: “We know that Nigeria has a policy of providing free drugs to people living with HIV and AIDS. Earlier in the year, there was some anxiety that Nigeria was going to run out of ARV. With this approval, the anxiety is laid to rest.”
He added that the contract supports local pharmaceutical production by partnering a Nigerian firm with a global brand, aligning with President Tinubu’s push to strengthen the domestic health value chain.
The second approval covers the replacement, upgrading, and staff training for radiotherapy equipment in six cancer treatment centres one in each geopolitical zone to ensure continued and expanded access to modern cancer care.
“The second memo is to replace, upgrade, and provide training for cancer treatments in six of our cancer centres, one per geopolitical zone, so that radiotherapy, which is an essential part of cancer treatment, can continue in these centres,” Dr. Salako explained.Get The Full, Details. .
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