Health minister seeks increased investment in radiopharmaceutical cancer therapy

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

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

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

NAN reports that the symposium targets better, more accurate and personalised cancer diagnosis and treatment for people in Africa.

Represented by David Oladele, Deputy Director, Research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Mr Salako commended the organisers and stakeholders for addressing Nigeria’s growing cancer burden.

He described radiopharmaceutical therapy as an important frontier in modern medicine, combining 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 and sustainable delivery of advanced therapies.”

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

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

Mr Salako expressed hope that the symposium would produce actionable recommendations and partnerships capable of strengthening cancer care and advancing precision medicine across Nigeria.

He congratulated the organisers and wished participants fruitful deliberations and a successful symposium.

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

Ms Philips said Oyakhilome’s compassion had inspired healthcare initiatives, including trauma care, blood donation, volunteer medical services and community clinics.

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

She said ISRT promoted precise, personalised cancer care, strengthened local expertise and demonstrated Africa’s capacity to develop and deliver advanced diagnostics and targeted treatments to international standards.

Also speaking, Masha Maharaj, President-elect of WARMTH, ISRT Scientific Chair and Director of Operations, Loveworld Medical Centre, said collaboration, education and research were crucial to advancing nuclear medicine globally.

She said ISRT symposiums provided practical workshops for young scientists and emerging departments to gain knowledge and confidence, exchange ideas and collaborate with international experts.

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

She said research showed that theranostics could improve outcomes for patients with advanced prostate cancer, adding that Nigeria had begun actinium treatments for breast cancer, sarcoma and lung cancer.

In a video displayed on a slide, Savvas Frangeras, Nuclear Physician, Cyprus, and President, World Federation of Nuclear Medicine, praised Maharaj for fostering cooperation between the organisations.

Mr Frangeras said the symposium supported efforts by international bodies to strengthen nuclear medicine in Africa and develop sustainable strategies for addressing the continent’s challenges.

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

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Emeka Eze, Medical Director, Loveworld, and Chairman, ISRT 2026, said precision oncology offered targeted cancer care, potentially reducing the side effects of conventional chemotherapy while improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Mr Eze said radio-pharmaceuticals targeted diseased cells and helped detect cancers and other conditions, describing nuclear medicine technology at Loveworld Medical Centre as a major treatment breakthrough.

He commended the Nigerian government for supporting nuclear medicine and assured cancer patients of scientifically proven treatment alternatives, although he acknowledged that advanced medical care remained expensive.

(NAN)