The Federal Government has launched the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) Fund for Cancer Patients Initiative, committing an initial ₦50 million to support vulnerable cancer patients across Nigeria.
The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced the initiative on Wednesday during the official flag-off of the fund’s disbursement at Rockview Hotel, Abuja.
According to the minister, the initiative is designed to provide timely, equitable and accountable non-medical support to cancer patients facing challenges such as transportation, accommodation, feeding and inadequate social support, which often hinder access to treatment or lead to treatment abandonment.
Dr. Salako noted that despite government investments in cancer care infrastructure, treatment expansion and subsidies, many patients continue to face significant social and economic barriers that negatively impact health outcomes.
He explained that the establishment of the fund followed recommendations by the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group (TWG), led by Professor Folakemi Odedina, Global Director of Oncology at Mayo Clinic, United States, and co-chaired by Professor Malami Aliyu, Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT). He commended both experts for their commitment to mobilising resources and contributing personally to the initiative.
The minister disclosed that more than 600 cancer patients had already applied for support under the programme, while over 200 applicants had been successfully verified through a rigorous process involving medical directors and attending physicians in their respective health facilities.
He added that every verified beneficiary would receive a minimum of ₦100,000 to address non-medical barriers to treatment, with funds paid directly to beneficiaries to ensure transparency and accountability.
Dr. Salako reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to ensuring that a cancer diagnosis does not become a death sentence through sustained investments in prevention, early detection, treatment and patient support programmes.
He also appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropic foundations, high-net-worth individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative through donations and partnerships, stressing that the fund offers an opportunity to bridge financing gaps in cancer care and improve support for patients nationwide.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, described the launch of the Social Determinants of Health Fund as a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to improve cancer care and patient outcomes.
She said the initiative reflects a growing recognition that health outcomes are influenced not only by medical treatment but also by social and economic conditions affecting access to care.
According to her, transportation difficulties, accommodation challenges, loss of income, nutritional needs and limited social support often prevent cancer patients from completing treatment successfully.
Kachollom stated that the initiative would directly address these challenges while supporting the implementation of the Nigeria National Cancer Control Plan (NNCCP) 2026–2030.
“The launch of this initiative demonstrates that we are moving beyond policy intentions to practical interventions that address the realities faced by patients and their families,” she said.
The permanent secretary assured cancer patients of the ministry’s continued commitment to expanding access to quality and affordable cancer care through investments in treatment infrastructure, free screening programmes, subsidised treatment services and the Cancer Health Fund.
She noted that the fight against cancer requires collective action and urged philanthropists, corporate organisations, development partners, professional associations and individuals of goodwill to join hands with government in supporting the initiative.
Kachollom expressed optimism that stronger partnerships would help more patients overcome the barriers standing between them and the care they need.
The Social Determinants of Health Fund is expected to complement existing government interventions by addressing critical non-medical challenges that often undermine treatment outcomes, thereby improving the quality of life and survival chances of cancer patients across Nigeria.
