From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has donated the sum of N2 billion to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital BSUTH endowment fund for the establishment of cancer center in the State.
Governor Alia made the donation on Friday during the International Health Investment Summit and Scientific Exhibition organized by the hospital in Makurdi.
The theme of the summit “Towards Attaining a One Stop Hospital” with a sub theme “Demystifying and Domesticating and Ultra Modern Cancer Care in BSUTH Through Gainful Collaboration, Sustainable Health Financing: Policies, Opportunities and Financing Options.”
Alia lamented that cancer has been responsible for over 75,000 deaths in tht country, maintaining that new approaches and collective efforts are needed to curb the new trend.
He said his administration is committed to increasing health care expenditure in the State budget to give excellent and affordable health care to the populace of the State.
He said “We will increase access to quality health care delivery. We have a resolve to do things differently and toe the unpopular path where a certain few claim certain rights.
“We have granted approval to BSUTH to engage over 500 staff to stop the tide of unemployment. We will continue to utilize resources prudently in improving the health sector of the State”.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas represented by House Committee Chairman on Health Institutions, Hon. Amos Magaji lamented over the rate of new cancer cases, noting that 125,000 new cases has been reported with 80,000 deaths recorded representing 45.3 new cases yearly.
According to him, “Nigeria bears 40 percent of African cancer burden, stressing that there is need to curtail medical tourism by building a solid health culture.
“We should have treatment option and develop capacity of health care. The house of Representative is taking the lead in robust health care system in Nigeria hence we must encourage potential investors to appreciate the importance of this center and donate as this is a new dawn in Nigeria health care sector”.
Former Governor of Benue State, Sen. Gabriel Suswam said if established, the cancer center will reduce the cost of patient travelling long distances to access cancer treatment.
Suswam who was the Chairman of the Endowment fund urged Governor Alia, to continue to encourage people across party lines to contribute to healthcare in the state advising that the health of the Benue people should not be politicized.
The former Governor appreciated the Keynote speaker, Dr Adewale Tolulope, who declared his intention to assist the state in setting up the cancer treatment center and urger others to support him.
He advised the people of the state to appreciate Governor Alia, who does not mix politics when it comes to issues of development, stating that cancer knows no politics, be you PDP or APC and the governor is genuinely interested in development.
He also advised them not to take into consideration news of huge amounts of monies coming to the state, since the Naira has lost its value saying government would not be able to embark on such a project without help from its people.
The speakers at the event include the NSIA Advance Medical Services Ltd, Dr Tolulope Adewale, Chairman UNICURE Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd, Mr Eric Hanqin Liu, former Director General NAFDAC Dr Paul Orhii and a Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, Dr Samuel Otene.