Harvard partners ODSG on cancer treatment
By Maria Famakinwa
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The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has restated the commitment of his administration towards ensuring that the people of the state access proper health care.
He disclosed this in his office during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Government and Harvard Global Health Catalyst on establishing a cancer treatment centre in the State for patients to have easy access to the treatment in order to fight cancer scourge.
Earlier the Governor’s wife, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu while emphasising the need for adequate breast cancer awareness in Ondo State and beyond described the MoU as a welcome development.
The First Lady also lauded the support of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration in the fight against breast cancer in the state.
While noting the economic prospects of the cancer treatment centre to Ondo State, Mrs Akeredolu observed that religious leaders should be involved in the move against breast cancer stressing that this would help to debunk some superstitious beliefs which inhibit breast cancer victims from accessing prompt medical help.
In his remarks, the leader of the team, Prof Wilfred Ngwa who commended Governor Akeredolu for prioritising the health of Ondo residents explained that cancer patients die yearly in Nigeria due to ignorance and poor access to treatment.
While applauding Mrs Akeredolu for her efforts at sensitising and educating people against breast cancer across the state, she described the citizens as being lucky to have a government who cares about their well -being.
According to him, World Health Organisation (WHO) currently said that about 500,000 cancer related deaths are yearly recorded in Africa. “That number will reach a million people in ten years from now. Nigeria as we know is one fifth of Africa, if you do the calculations, it means that about 100,000 patients die of cancer in Nigeria yearly.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro thanked Akeredolu for prioritising health care and pledged to ensure that the project is completed in good time.
Also speaking at the event, Secretary to Ondo State Government, Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, thanked Governor Akeredolu and his wife for steps taken to better the lives of Ondo citizens especially in the area of good health and urged the people to always support the administration to further enjoy more dividends of democracy.
