Abuja: The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, has urged the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) to intensify enforcement of regulations governing the use of ionising radiation across all sectors. He emphasized that this step is crucial for safeguarding public health and national security.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Salako made these remarks in Abuja at the National Oncology Symposium themed ‘Medical Use of Radioactive Substances in Nigeria.’ He highlighted the need for NNRA to act decisively as a regulatory body, comparing its role to that of a police force within the radioactive sector. Salako expressed concerns about the current lax regulations, indicating that they could expose the nation to significant health and safety risks.
He revealed that only three out of 15 institutions have the required licensing from NNRA, a statistic that underscores the need for more vocal enforcement. Despite acknowledging the NNRA’s efforts in ensuring ethical and safe use of radioactive materials, Salako urged the agency to overcome funding challenges and enhance its oversight capabilities.
Salako further noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Nigeria has made progress in strengthening its health system, particularly in expanding cancer care infrastructure. This includes the installation of equipment emitting ionizing radiation, which, while beneficial for medical diagnosis and treatment, poses risks such as cancer and security threats if mismanaged.
He disclosed that an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assessment found effective regulatory oversight in Nigeria but identified gaps, such as the absence of Radiation Diagnostic Reference Levels. To address this, Salako directed the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group to collaborate with NNRA to develop these reference levels quickly. He also instructed the agency to enforce compliance across public and private facilities nationwide.
The minister detailed a five-year plan by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to establish or upgrade at least six cancer centres of excellence annually, aiming for every state to have one by 2031. This initiative is part of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme, designed to curb medical tourism, which costs Nigeria around one billion dollars annually, with 40 per cent spent on cancer care.
Prof. Idris Yau, Director-General of NNRA, represented by Mrs Fatima Ige, reiterated the agency’s mandate to regulate ionising radiation application in healthcare and other sectors. In his paper presentation, Yau outlined steps taken to shut down non-compliant facilities and efforts to manage radioactive waste, supported by the IAEA and the U.S. Department of Energy.
The President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, also addressed the symposium, highlighting the shortage of anti-cancer drugs and bureaucratic challenges in the supply chain. He warned of the financial burden on patients due to high treatment costs and limited access to the National Cancer Health Fund, urging immediate action to improve cancer care availability in Nigeria.
The symposium gathered stakeholders from health, nuclear, and regulatory sectors to discuss safety, compliance, and policy frameworks for radiation use in medical practice.