Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has promised to include funds in the state budget to support cancer awareness, early detection, and treatment.
He made this promise on Tuesday in Abeokuta while receiving members of the Cancer Awareness and Screening Team during the opening of a free breast screening centre.
The governor said the state government would work with partners to improve cancer prevention and treatment, adding that money would be set aside in the yearly budget to support these efforts.
“The government cannot do it alone, but I assure you we will support this cause with proper funding,” Abiodun said. He noted that cancer affects everyone, no matter their status or wealth, and that early detection can save lives.
Abiodun also said the government plans to add cancer screening to the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme so more people can have access to it. He encouraged companies in the state to support cancer awareness and treatment as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Those who visited included the wife of the Imo State Governor, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma; the wife of the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Bagudu, who is also the President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control; the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; the General Manager of Roche Healthcare; and Ogun State Commissioners for Health and for Women Affairs.
Mrs Uzodimma said the visit was part of a national campaign on breast cancer awareness in partnership with Roche Healthcare and the Ogun State Government.
“We are working together to create awareness, pay hospital bills for cancer patients, and promote advocacy. Roche has been our main partner for years, and we are asking the state to include cancer screening in its health insurance scheme and create a Cancer Health Fund,” she said.
Mrs Abiodun thanked Roche Healthcare for donating the free Breast Screening Centre to Oba Ademola Hospital, Abeokuta, saying it would greatly improve healthcare in the state.
Roche Healthcare’s General Manager, Dr Ladipo Hammed, said the company’s support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is aimed at helping the health sector and encouraging early detection to reduce deaths from cancer.
Dr Bagudu called for consistent and permanent cancer awareness and screening programmes to be included in Nigeria’s health policies and laws.
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