Cancer: AHBN urges moving 2024 budget line to NICRAT

The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), has proposed that 2024 Cancer Health Fund (CHF) Budget Line be move from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) to the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment  (NICRAT).

According to the agency, the move would enable NICRAT to manage and coordinate the fund.

Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, AHBN Coordinator said that, the  FMoH would still retain its oversight responsibility.

“The shift in responsibility implied that NICRAT would be primarily responsible for handling the funding and ensuring that it was effectively utilised for cancer research and treatment initiatives.

“On the other hand, the FMoH would continue to play a supervisory role, ensuring that NICRAT operates within the designated guidelines and objectives set by the government.

“This oversight function would likely involve monitoring the progress, outcomes, and overall effectiveness of the initiatives carried out by NICRAT using the CHF budget.

“Overall, the proposed change aims to streamline the management and coordination of cancer-related funding by entrusting a specialized institution like NICRAT with the responsibility, while still maintaining government oversight through the FMoH,” he said.

Dr Magashi advocated that at least N10 billion be appropriated to CHF in 2024 for cancer services in all 36 states of the Federation and the FCT.

He also advocated partnership between NICRAT and the National Health Insurance Authority to improve cancer services access to all Nigerians in need.