The Federal Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Oncology Centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Katsina, in a major step towards improving cancer treatment in Nigeria.

Joined by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Adebayo Olawale Edun, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, the Health Minister officially unveiled the facility, which was established and fully equipped under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The newly commissioned centre, modelled after global standards, is equipped with modern diagnostic and treatment machines, aiming to reduce medical tourism by offering advanced care within Nigeria.

According to Professor Pate, the facility is a key part of Tinubu’s healthcare agenda, designed to ensure that Nigerians can access specialised treatment for cancer without leaving the country. He emphasized that the installed machines are of international standard and will play a vital role in combating cancer locally.

The Health Minister noted that the centre’s development was facilitated by the proactive efforts of the outgoing Chief Medical Director of FTH Katsina, Dr. Suleiman Bello, whose tenure is ending.

In his remarks, Minister Pate stated that over 6,000 health facilities have been rehabilitated across Nigeria under the Tinubu administration, increasing healthcare access for more than 30 million Nigerians.

Also speaking at the event, Information Minister Muhammad Idris revealed that two similar cancer centres will soon be inaugurated in Benin City and Enugu, expanding cancer care across the nation.

Finance Minister Edun, whose ministry supervised the funding of the Katsina Oncology Centre, stated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to tackle cancer in Northern Nigeria. He added that more such centres are currently under construction and will be launched in a second phase.