The Lagos State Government allocated N7.45 billion for the creation of dialysis and cancer treatment centers, as well as medical equipment, but released zero funds for the projects during the first half of 2026. According to the state's Budget Implementation Report, N7 billion was budgeted for the creation of dialysis/cancer dialysis centers in three senatorial districts, with a proposed upgrade to a university teaching hospital. However, the expenditure column showed no spending against the project as of June 30, 2026.
The report also listed another N450 million for the purchase of equipment for the State Cancer Control program, with zero expenditure recorded during the period. These figures raise questions about the pace of the state government's planned investment in specialist healthcare, particularly at a time when cancer patients and people living with kidney failure face substantial financial pressure. Access to specialized treatment remains uneven, with many patients struggling to afford treatment.
A study published in JCO Global Oncology found that only about five percent of health facilities assessed in Lagos provided cancer screening or treatment services. The researchers highlighted gaps in documentation of services and patient records, warning that incomplete information could undermine planning and resource allocation. Another study documented substantial out-of-pocket expenses for patients attending tertiary oncology clinics in Lagos.
Cancer treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, laboratory tests, imaging, and medicines to manage complications. Patients who cannot afford these services experience delays or struggle to complete treatment. In 2025, a Lagos cancer patient reportedly could not proceed with chemotherapy after being told it would cost N2.5 million. The proposed centers could potentially expand access if properly funded, equipped, staffed, and made operational.
The Lagos State Government's budget performance report does not explain whether other sources of funding were used or whether any services were delivered through existing facilities during the period. The report does not identify the three senatorial districts where the centers are expected to be established, provide implementation milestones, or explain why no expenditure was recorded.
Concerns extend to kidney care, where dialysis is often a recurring, life-sustaining treatment for people with kidney failure. In December 2024, the Lagos State Cardiac and Renal Centre in Gbagada, commissioned in 2015 with 24 dialysis machines, reportedly remained in ruins. Only three of the state's 28 general hospitals operated dialysis units, highlighting the need for new dialysis infrastructure.
The cost of dialysis can be punishing for households, with sessions in private healthcare facilities costing between N50,000 and N80,000. Patients often require two or three sessions each week, consuming a substantial share of a household's income. The state's proposed N7 billion investment warrants close scrutiny, particularly regarding locations, implementation timetables, procurement status, and expected capacity of the planned centers.
Key points
- The Lagos State Government allocated N7.45 billion for cancer and dialysis projects but recorded zero spending in the first six months of 2026.
- Cancer patients and people living with kidney failure in Lagos face substantial financial pressure and uneven access to specialized treatment.
- The proposed dialysis and cancer centers could potentially expand access to specialist healthcare if properly funded, equipped, staffed, and made operational.
