The Federal Government has approved N9.99 billion for the purchase of antiretroviral (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV/AIDS and the upgrade of cancer treatment facilities nationwide.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja.
Salako said the approval addresses earlier concerns about a possible shortage of ARV drugs in the country.
“At the beginning of the year, there were fears that Nigeria might run out of ARVs. With this approval, that concern has been resolved,” he said.
He revealed that the contract for the procurement of ARVs under the presidential treatment programme has been awarded to Fidson Healthcare at a cost of N9.99 billion.
According to the minister, the move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s plan to strengthen the healthcare value chain by supporting local pharmaceutical companies in collaboration with global brands.
Salako noted that Fidson partners with Hetero in Nigeria, adding that government patronage will help build local manufacturing capacity for ARV drugs over time.
Nigeria currently provides free HIV treatment under the presidential programme, enabling millions of citizens to access life-saving antiretroviral therapy.
In addition to the HIV intervention, FEC also approved a second memo for the replacement and upgrade of equipment, as well as training for cancer treatment in six centres—one in each geopolitical zone.
The minister said the project would ensure the continued availability of radiotherapy services, a critical component of cancer treatment.
Cancer care in Nigeria has faced major challenges, particularly due to inadequate radiotherapy machines, forcing many patients to seek expensive treatment abroad. The planned upgrades are expected to improve access to essential cancer services within the country.
Addressing the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak, Salako said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is actively supporting affected states with additional personnel and resources.
He described Lassa fever as a seasonal public health concern and disclosed that Nigeria is investing in the development of a vaccine.
While awaiting the vaccine, the minister stressed the importance of public awareness and strict adherence to safety protocols by healthcare workers, especially during peak seasons.
He urged medical personnel to maintain a high level of vigilance and use appropriate protective equipment when attending to suspected cases.
Salako also sympathised with frontline health workers who lost their lives in the line of duty, acknowledging the risks they face.
Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria, with outbreaks typically occurring during the dry season between November and May. The disease spreads through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, as well as through person-to-person transmission in healthcare settings where infection control measures are inadequate.
Nigeria records hundreds of Lassa fever cases annually, with healthcare workers particularly vulnerable, especially when diagnosis is delayed.