Nigeria Govt to Build 10 New Oncology and Diagnostic Centers, Retrain 120,000 Health Workers

The federal government has announced the construction of 10 new oncology and diagnostic centers across the country and the retraining of 120,000 health workers. President Bola Tinubu revealed these plans on Friday during the launch of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Healthcare Expansion Programme.

At the launch event in Bauchi State, President Tinubu, represented by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized that the initiative aims to enhance the health and social well-being of Nigerians, stimulate economic growth, and establish Nigeria as a leading healthcare hub in Africa.

The new centers are designed to complement the ongoing upgrades in cancer infrastructure and equipment at six federal teaching hospitals. President Tinubu explained that these facilities will not only provide critical healthcare services but also help counteract the trend of medical tourism abroad.

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Once completed, these oncology and diagnostic centers are expected to be the largest in West Africa, with the capability to train up to 500 clinicians over three years and advance clinical trials and research.

President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the NSIA for their dedication and vision in making the programme possible. He highlighted that this initiative will serve as a model for future healthcare infrastructure projects, aligning with the nation’s goals of saving lives, reducing suffering, and ensuring comprehensive healthcare for all Nigerians.

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The first component of the initiative includes establishing ten world-class healthcare facilities across the six geopolitical zones. The second component focuses on retraining 120,000 frontline health workers, a key performance indicator for Tinubu in his role as the African Union Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership. Emphasizing the importance of health workers, Tinubu noted that equipping them with up-to-date skills is crucial for addressing the evolving needs of the population.

Ali Pate further highlighted that the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) has been instrumental in boosting national productivity, with a focus on critical areas such as maternal and child health, disease prevention, and health system strengthening. He also noted that the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) framework, involving collaboration with State Governors and Development Partners, has been essential in advancing the health sector, ensuring alignment and accountability in achieving health goals.

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