The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has greenlit approximately ₦10 billion in funding to ensure uninterrupted free antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS and to modernize cancer treatment infrastructure across Nigeria.
The approvals, announced following Wednesday's FEC session at the State House in Abuja, stem from two separate memoranda presented by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, briefed State House correspondents on the decisions, highlighting their importance in addressing critical healthcare needs.
In the first measure, the council approved ₦9.99 billion for the procurement of ARV drugs through FixingHealthCare (also referred to in some reports as a partnership involving local firm Fidson Healthcare).
This allocation guarantees the continuation of Nigeria's policy of providing free HIV/AIDS treatment nationwide.
Dr. Salako addressed recent public concerns over potential drug shortages, stating: “We know that Nigeria has a policy of providing free drugs to people living with HIV and AIDS. Earlier in the year, there was some anxiety that Nigeria was going to run out of ARV. With this approval, the anxiety is laid to rest.”
He emphasized that the initiative supports local pharmaceutical manufacturing by collaborating a Nigerian company with an international partner, in line with President Tinubu’s agenda to bolster the country's domestic health supply chain.
The second approval focuses on enhancing cancer care by funding the replacement, upgrading, and staff training for radiotherapy equipment in six designated cancer treatment centers—one in each of Nigeria's geopolitical zones.
“The second memo is to replace, upgrade, and provide training for cancer treatments in six of our cancer centres, one per geopolitical zone, so that radiotherapy, which is an essential part of cancer treatment, can continue in these centres,” Dr. Salako explained.
These investments are expected to expand access to modern radiotherapy services, a vital component of comprehensive cancer management, and reduce the burden on patients who previously faced limited options.
The moves reflect the administration's commitment to strengthening public health systems amid ongoing challenges in disease management and medical infrastructure.
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