Sopuruchi Onwuka
Cancer care at the National Hospital Abuja has received a major boost following a $300,000 donation from Renaissance Africa Energy and its joint venture partners, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, TotalEnergies, and Agip Energy and Natural Resources.
Renaissance Africa Energy Company (RAEC) Limited operates petroleum exploration and production joint venture in which the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, TotalEnergies Exploration and Production Company Limited and Nigerian Agip Energy and Natural Resources hold interests.
From right: Lead, Community Relations, NUIMS, Uzo Ejidoh; Health Manager, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited; Dr. Akinwumi Fajola; VP, HR & Corporate Services, Olukayode Ogunleye; Managing Director and CEO, Tony Attah; GM, Relations & Sustainable Development, Igo Weli; Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Head of Business Services, NUIMS, Nkechi Anaedobe; CMD National Hospital Abuja, Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud, and other staff of the health ministry… at the presentation of the $300,000 donation to the National Hospital Cancer Centre by the Renaissance Joint Venture in Abuja
The funds will sustain the Service License Agreement for the hospital’s Linear Accelerator radiotherapy machine, ensuring its continuous operation and maintenance. The LiNAC machine was first donated to the hospital by the joint venture in 2019.
Speaking at the donation event in Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance, Mr. Tony Attah, said the intervention comes at a time when cancer cases are rising and treatment costs are increasing.
He noted that timely access to reliable equipment can determine patient outcomes.
According to Attah, the donation is a strategic investment aimed at protecting the future of cancer treatment in Nigeria, and he called on stakeholders to support efforts to expand access, innovation, and collaboration in healthcare.
Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, received the donation and described the partnership as a strong example of how public-private collaboration can attract critical investment into the health sector.
He said affordability remains a major obstacle for cancer patients and praised Renaissance and its partners for supporting equipment that has already treated more than 2,000 patients and reduced the cost of care by 80 percent.
He expressed hope that other corporate organisations would emulate the model.
Representing the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Services, the Head of Business Services, Mrs. Nkechi Anaedobe, said the joint venture was committed to sustaining cancer care infrastructure. She explained that the $300,000 donation will ensure timely maintenance of the LiNAC machine, minimize downtime, and keep the equipment compliant with medical standards.
The Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital Abuja, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud, thanked the partners for their support, noting that cancer treatment requires significant resources and continuous investment to keep advanced equipment functional.
Renaissance Health Manager, Dr. Akinwunmi Fajola, said the success of the LiNAC machine reflects strong collaboration between the hospital, the joint venture partners, and the equipment manufacturer, Elekta.
He noted that treatment time has dropped from about 15 minutes to four minutes, giving patients faster and more efficient care.
Since its installation in 2019, the LiNAC machine has transformed radiotherapy services by cutting treatment time, reducing therapy costs by more than 80 percent, and serving over 2,000 patients, including subsidized care for indigent patients.
