Cancer has been responsible for 79,000 deaths in Nigeria – Gov Alia
…. Donates 2bn forcancer center establishment
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has revealed cancer has been responsible for the deaths of over 79,000 Nigerian’s and approximately 124,000 cases every year, accounting for the second highest cancer burden in Africa.
Governor Alia also stated that new approaches and collective efforts needed to reverse the ugly trend and donated the sum of 2bllion cash to the support of the cancer center.
Alia made the disclosure in an address on the occasion of the Benue Staye University Teaching Hospital ( BSUTH), Makurdi International Health Investment Summit held at the Auditorium, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi
The Governor commended the Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, Dr. Hwande for the bold initiative and urged the Management to work towards making the International Health Investment Summit and Scientific Exhibition a yearly event.
He assured that his administration will continue to be upright and uphold to the tenets of best practices and prudently utilize available resources at all times for the consolidation of a virile and effective healthcare system.
“It has not been easy, but with a clear vision and dogged commitment to good governance, we are making steady progress. For example, recently, our administration granted approval to the State University Teaching Hospital, to employ over five hundred (500) staff in various areas of specialty, to enable the hospital rise to the challenge of providing excellent healthcare to the people, and also tame the tide of unemployment in the State.
“This summit has been put together to provide a platform for fruitful discussions , knowledge sharing and networking opportunities among healthcare professionals,policy makers, researchers and investors from around the world.
“Another key component of this event is the launching of an endowment fund for the establishment of a cancer center. I urge all of you to participate by contribute your quota to this noble cause ” Alia maintained.
He described the summit as important and explained that health promotion is often not given the needed attention it deserves and is sometimes thought of as a minor and not a major or core health care, but its importance can not and should never be underestimated.
“I am delighted to welcome you to Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation, and particularly to this occasion of the International Health Investment Summit and Scientific Exhibition with the theme “Towards attaining a One-Stop-Hospital.
“Therefore, promoting health through the life course is becoming more important than ever before, which explains in part, why ouradministration is committed to increasing health expenditure as evidenced in this year 2024 approved budget. The result of this commitment is that the narrative of poor budgetary allocation to the health sector is intentionally being reversed.
“When we took over the reins of government about one year ago, we realized that there were so many challenges of development to be tackled, including that of providing excellent, relevant and affordable healthcare for the people of Benue. Given that the health of a population is a key determinant of its productivity, we immediately swung into action by deliberately introducing innovative approaches aimed at increasing access to quality healthcare delivery in the State.
“However, to understand the changing tides in Benue State, is to appreciate the resolve of our administration to do things differently and to toe the “unpopular” paths. Alia explained.
The Governor commended the Chairman of the occasion, His Excellency, Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam for accepting to chair the event.
“I am well aware of the pressure upon his time. I therefore commend him for devoting time to this all important summit.” Alia maintained.
In a key not address, the chairman of the occasion and former Governor of the State Senator Gabriel Suswam, commended the purposeful leadership of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia for creating an enabling atmosphere to accommodate members of other political parties to contribute in his governance for the over all good and development of the State.
“We it comes to governance, there is no politics, therefore I urge Benue sons and daughters to give the governor unwavering support to succeed on his mission to transform the State and restored it lost glory.
“Health issues particularly cancer concerns all of us , it might be you or me whether directly or indirectly so we should all contribute generously for the establishment of the cancer center at BSUTH.” Suswam advised.
In his welcome address, the Chief Medical Director, BSUTH, Dr. Stephen Hwande explained that the summit is part of the Teaching Hospital initiative under hi watch to compliment the effort of Governor. Alia’s administration to promote and further improve healthcare in the State.
Hwande further explained that BSUTH exist to provide facilities for the training of different categories of staff and to function as a tertiary health facility to meet the health needs of the good people of the State and beyond.
“We believe that achieving this goal requires collaborative efforts and support from government agencies, public and private organizations, donor organizations, public spirited individuals among others.
“Coming to this crucial time that Governor Alia administration is paying unprecedented attention to healthcare issues, it is our hope and expectation that the summit and especially the endowment fund for the establishment of a Cancer Center will generate the expected outcomes which will make establishment of the said Center possible.
“It is no wonder that, the governor has allocated the sum of over Seven billion Naira in the year 2024 budget for improvement of infrastructure and equipment at the BSUTH. Already a contract of over three billion naira has been awarded for infrastructural development and work has already commenced. This is Legendary”. Dr. Hwande commended.
Reacting on the generous donation by the governor for the establishment of the Cancer Center to Nigerian NewsDirect, Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Dennis Akura said that the Governor’s action was never a surprise because it is the true reflection of the plight he has for the masses of the State.
Dr. Akura sued for support and prayers from all and sundry for the Governor to continue with his selfless service to humanity and the deliverance of Democracy dividends to the people of the State.
Also speaking, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order Barrister Fidelis Mnyim, commended the uncommon leadership disposition of the Governor and called on Benue people to continue to give him their unwavering support and prayers to succeed.
Mnyim described the Governor as the State narrative changer that has set a precedence never in the history of the State.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that Dr. Tolulope Adewole, Managing Director, Advanced Medical Services Ltd serve as a Keynote Speaker, Dr. Paul Orhii oon, former MD. NAFDAC as Guest Speaker, Dr Samuel O. Otene FMCR, Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist also a Guest Speaker and Mr. Eric Hanqin Liu, Chairman, UNICURE PHARMACEUTICALS COMPANY also Guest Speaker at the occasion.
