By Atoyebi Nike
Cancer patients in Abuja have received a major boost as the NNPC/Renaissance Joint Venture released $300,000 to maintain the National Hospital’s advanced radiotherapy machine. The fund, announced at the office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, will keep the Linear Accelerator running without treatment delays.
The JV first supplied the machine in 2019 and built an entire support ecosystem for cancer care, including staff training and installation of essential data systems. NNPC’s Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Oluwaseyi Omotowa, said the machine has improved treatment for more than 2,000 patients and cut therapy time from 12 minutes to two. It has also reduced costs by 80 percent, with 712 indigent patients benefiting from subsidized care.
Omotowa noted that steady maintenance keeps the machine accurate, safe, and available. He added that the JV will continue supporting long-term health partnerships that strengthen the system.
Health Minister Ali Pate applauded the intervention, describing it as an example of private-sector support aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed focus on healthcare investment. National Hospital CMD, Muhammad Raji Mahmud, said the LINAC machine now helps thousands of patients locally and reduces medical tourism.
Renaissance Africa Energy MD, Tony Attah, said the contribution reflects a strategic investment in national wellbeing. Cancer remains one of Nigeria’s top killers, with over 100,000 new cases each year. Only a few radiotherapy machines exist nationwide, making the NNPC/Renaissance machine vital to patient care.
The new funding is expected to guarantee uninterrupted treatment and improve survival outcomes.
