BY ADESUWA EDOKPAYI
The Federal Government has taken a major step forwards improving cancer treatment in Nigeria with the commissioning of a new Oncology Centre at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City.
The ceremony, was performed by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun; Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, and the Edo state Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, who represented Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Also in attendance were the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Chief Gani Audu; Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole; members of the UBTH management board, medical professionals, and traditional rulers.
Professor Pate stated that the⁴4 Oncology Centre is part of the Federal Government’s first phase of establishing a network of 10 comprehensive oncology and diagnostic centres across the country.
These centres, he noted, are designed to serve approximately 2,000 cancer patients and handle over 350,000 diagnostic procedures annually.
Minister of Finance, Chief Edun, affirmed the Federal Government’s continued investment in the health sector and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising universal health coverage.
He called on state governments, donors, and health institutions to support the sustainability of the centres.
Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, speaking on behalf of Governor Okpebholo, lauded the commissioning of the centre, saying that the facility would not only benefit Edo residents, but also people from across the South-South region.of the country.
He pledged the state government’s readiness to support its operation and future expansion.
Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Professor Darlington Obaseki, said that the centre was established in response to the growing burden of cancer, which has been a major contributor to mortality in the hospital.
According to him, the facility is equipped with advanced radiotherapy and chemotherapy units, diagnostic labs, and will also serve as a training hub for medical personnel in oncology.
The UBTH Oncology Centre is one of three facilities recently commissioned across the country, alongside similar centres in Enugu and Katsina.
Collectively, they are expected to revolutionise cancer care delivery and expand access to early diagnosis and effective treatment nationwide
