By Abimbola Ogunnaike
In order to facilitate the acquisition and maintenance of state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment in six cancer centers located in the six geopolitical zones of the country, the Ministry of Health has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
While signing the MOU in Abuja, coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate said the Federal government had approved the sum of N38 billion for the procurement of the equipment.
Pate explained that the burden managing cancer; access to centres has been brought to an end through the signing of the MoU.
Managing Director of NSIA, Aminu Umar-Sadiq said the agency’s partnership with the federal government was significant and emphasised the need to replicate the success of the NSIA-Lagos University Teaching Hospital cancer center in other regions.
Umar-Sadiq further revealed that it would take 18 to 24 months to set up the equipment in all the centres
Relevant stakeholders and Chief Medical Directors of all the cancer centres were all in attendance to witness the signing of the MOU.
