FEC Approves N10bn for HIV Drugs, Cancer Care Upgrade Nationwide

By Ifeyinwa Austine

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has greenlit procurement of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV treatment and upgrades to cancer care across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, announced the approvals after Wednesday’s Council meeting in Abuja. “The Federal Ministry of Health presented two memos, both approved,” he told journalists.

The first N9.99 billion contract, awarded to Fidson Healthcare Plc in partnership with a global firm, secures ARVs to sustain free treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. It addresses earlier shortage fears and builds local production capacity under President Tinubu’s healthcare value chain push.

“We have a policy of free ARVs.
This lays shortage anxieties to rest while enhancing in-country manufacturing,” Salako said.

The second approval funds replacement, upgrades, and training for radiotherapy equipment in one cancer centre per zone, ensuring uninterrupted essential treatments