Federal Government to setup National Agency for Cancer Control

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has announced that Federal Government is tinkering with the possibility of setting up National Agency for Cancer Control (NACC) in Nigeria.

The Minister made this known during an audience with Director, Head of Eastern Europe, Middle East, African (EEMEA ) region, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Pharmaceuticals Division Dr. Peter HUG in Abuja.

The minister explained that the institution, when establish would be responsible for research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care for cancer patients. It will also provide leadership and technical direction for cancer control in Nigeria integrating services provided by the National Cancer Centre and in cooperating a cluster of public and private tertiary Hospitals.

Other functions expected to be performed by the Agency include policy formulation, advocacy, and mobilization, adopt best practices as per the Global Non-Communicable Diseases Framework to make the NACC a Centre of Excellence for cancer prevention and care. It is also believed that the Agency would develop a national plan for cancer prevention and care, measure burden and impact of cancer and establish registries for routine monitoring.

He said that the Ministry in collaboration with other stakeholders in cancer control was working hard in creating awareness in the rural areas on early detection of cancer.

The Minister expressed government’s determination and willingness to partner with Dr. Peter HUG on cancer prevention and control in Nigeria “If you ask me what do I want from Dr. Peter HUG, I will say how we can build a strong partnership and move from talking to action, what can you bring to the table in terms of partnership that would bring reliable service to Nigerians.”

The Minister and Dr. Peter HUG later agreed that the partnership would focus more on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Breast Cancer.

Speaking earlier, on the rationale behind his visit to Nigeria Dr. Peter HUG said that they were interested in partnering with the Nigerian Government on cancer prevention and treatment.

He said they have the facilities to support Nigeria in the fight against cancer.