Health Minister Calls for More Investment in Cancer Treatment

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, has called for more investment in radiopharmaceutical therapy. He wants to improve cancer care and advance precision medicine in Nigeria.

Mr Salako spoke at the International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Therapy (ISRT) held on Friday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Association of Radiopharmaceutical and Molecular Therapy (WARMTH), the International Centres for Precision Oncology Foundation, and Chris Oyakhilome Loveworld Medical Centre organized the two-day event.

NAN also reported that the symposium aims to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment for people across Africa.

Mr Salako, represented by David Oladele, Deputy Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research in Yaba, praised the event's organizers and stakeholders for tackling Nigeria’s growing cancer issue.

He described radiopharmaceutical therapy as a vital area in modern medicine. It combines nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, pharmaceutical sciences, oncology, and precision medicine for targeted cancer treatment.

“Developing Nigeria’s capacity in the emerging field is crucial to improving access to advanced cancer treatment and reducing limitations associated with conventional therapies,” he said.

“Nigeria’s cancer response must embrace innovation, strengthen research and development, build a skilled workforce, and establish infrastructure for safe delivery of advanced therapies.”

The minister said the federal government is committed to improving the health system under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Health Sector Reform Investment Initiative.

He urged participants to enhance collaboration between Nigerian and international institutions, promote technology transfer, and develop partnerships to make radiopharmaceutical therapy more accessible.

Mr Salako is hopeful the symposium will produce recommendations and partnerships to strengthen cancer care and advance precision medicine across Nigeria.

He congratulated the organizers and wished all participants fruitful discussions and a successful event.

Delivering the opening remarks, Deola Philips, Executive Minister of the Ministry of Healing and Social Services and Chairman of Loveworld Medical Centre, praised Pastor Chris Oyakhilome for his care for the sick.

Ms Philips mentioned that Oyakhilome’s compassion has led to healthcare initiatives, including trauma care, blood donation, volunteer medical services, and community clinics.

“The initiatives have trained first responders, reached millions of beneficiaries, mobilized safe blood, provided free healthcare, and expanded eye care for visually impaired persons,” she said.

She noted that ISRT promotes precise, personalized cancer care, builds local expertise, and shows Africa's ability to provide advanced diagnostics and treatments at global standards.

Masha Maharaj, President-elect of WARMTH, ISRT Scientific Chair, and Director of Operations at Loveworld Medical Centre, also spoke at the event. She said collaboration, education, and research are key to advancing nuclear medicine worldwide.

She explained that ISRT symposiums offer practical workshops for young scientists to gain knowledge, exchange ideas, and collaborate with international experts.

“Theranostics combine diagnosis and treatment by identifying disease pathways and directly targeting tumor-specific receptors. This reduces harm to healthy cells and improves patients’ quality of life,” she said.

She added that studies show theranostics could enhance outcomes for patients with advanced prostate cancer. She mentioned that Nigeria has started actinium treatments for breast cancer, sarcoma, and lung cancer.

In a video displayed during the event, Savvas Frangeras, a Nuclear Physician from Cyprus and President of the World Federation of Nuclear Medicine, praised Maharaj for promoting cooperation among organizations.

Mr Frangeras said the symposium supports international efforts to strengthen nuclear medicine in Africa and create sustainable strategies to address challenges on the continent.

He expressed hope that the Nigerian Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging would join the initiative, wishing participants a productive symposium.

Emeka Eze, Medical Director at Loveworld and Chairman of ISRT 2026, discussed precision oncology. He explained that it offers targeted cancer care, which could reduce side effects of traditional chemotherapy while improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Mr Eze stated that radiopharmaceuticals target diseased cells and help detect cancers and other conditions. He described nuclear medicine technology at Loveworld Medical Centre as a breakthrough in treatment.

He commended the Nigerian government for supporting nuclear medicine and assured cancer patients of scientifically proven treatment options, though he acknowledged that advanced medical care can be costly.