The Nigeria Senate through its committee on health on Thursday frowned at the Non Utilisation of over one billion naira released to the federal ministry of health for the treatment of cancer patients.
The chairman senate committee on health, Ibrahim Oloriegbe lamented that 729 million had been released in 2021 representing 66% of the amount and 800 million fully released in 2020 representing 100%, of the total fund whereas no single patient has been treated with the funds.
The minister of health and the director, department of Hospital services, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi says the Federal Ministry of Health had prepared itself since June to kick start the programme but waiting for the president to officially launch the fund to attract private donors.
The lawmakers gave a deadline of first week of December to commence the program mandating the minister to launch it on behalf of the president, as the ceremony is not necessary especially when patients die on a daily basis as a result of cancer disease.
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The chairman says the Lawmakers approved the sum in 2020 and did not reduce the cost of the fund because of the concern for those suffering from cancer
The minister assured the lawmakers that the program will kickstart before the end of this month.
Senator Betty Apafi also questioned the 10billon naira COVID-19 funds appropriated for local production of vaccine budgeted in the 2021 supplementary budget which is yet to be implemented when the year is almost coming to an end.
Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie
