Federal Ministry of Health has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, (NSIA), to procure and install cancer treatment equipment for six tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.
The selected tertiary teaching hospitals for the project from the six geopolitical zones are: University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina (FTHK), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health, Patricia Deworitshe, in a statement yesterday, said the MoU for the procurement was signed in Abuja, on Friday.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, during the signing ceremony said: “With the prevalence of cancer cases resulting to death, the Ministry in 2021 launched the oncology initiative aimed at improving oncology care through strategic medical investments that include the establishment of new oncology and nuclear medicine centres, upgrade of existing facilities and deployment of modern medical infrastructure in the participating tertiary institutions.
Prof. Pate described the event as an important milestone that would end the tragic story of losing lives of millions of Nigerians especially who are afflicted by cancer.
He stated that all stakeholders in the implementation process of the Initiative were consulted and clearance from the Attorney General of the Federation had been received to sign the project at the cost of N38 billion.
He said the Ministry expects cutting-edge medical infrastructure to be deployed in the selected hospitals, notably, linear accelerators, iridium brachytherapy machines, computed tomography (CT) simulators, positron emission tomography (PET) scanners and cyclotrons.
The Minister assured of transparency in the process, calling on EFCC, SON and civil society organizations, to track any funds being put in the Oncology Initiative, encouraging the CSOs to amplify the project to the public as part of their advocacy.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Services, Daju Kachollom, expressed delight at the project, stressing that the upgrading of the six tertiary teaching hospitals should be commended.
She pointed out that the move has shown the commitment of the Federal Government to providing infrastructural facilities aimed at uplifting the lives of Nigerians especially in the health sector.
In their respective responses, the Chief Medical Directors of the benefiting teaching hospitals, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the initiative, stressing that the gesture will assist immensely in saving lives of numerous Nigerians afflicted with cancer cases.
In his remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Aminu Umar Sadiq, said that victory for Nigerians would be declared when the facilities are commissioned within the next 16 to 18 months. “We have seen the significant impact that localized world class oncology facilities can make in Nigeria.”
Source: The Sun
