Three immunotherapy clinical studies have begun in Nigeria for the first time, opening access to advanced cancer treatment that had previously been unavailable in the country.
Health officials said the trials are part of a broader push to improve cancer care, cut patients’ financial burden and adapt global treatment advances to Nigerian healthcare delivery.
NICRAT said the government is increasing spending on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, while the NHIA’s Catastrophic Health Fund subsidises prevention, diagnosis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for eligible patients.
Officials also pointed to the National Cancer Health Fund for indigent patients and a presidential healthcare initiative aimed at local manufacturing of cancer medicines to reduce import dependence and lower costs.