Groundbreaking Ceremony Of Opening Of Cancer Treatment Centre At Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital

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REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE CANCER TREATMENT CENTRE AT THE MUHAMMADU BUHARI SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, KANO ON MONDAY JANUARY 13TH, 2020

I must begin by saying that we have already heard just how prevalent cancer is in our country. We have already heard some of the statistics.

The WHO reports that in 2018 4% of deaths in Nigeria was caused by cancer.  Over a 100,000 are cancer cases that are reported in Nigeria.  About 72, 000 die annually of cancer.

So, Nigeria’s cancer cases are about 15% of cancer cases in the whole of West Africa. So, there is a major problem with cancer in Nigeria. And this is why the FG decided on the National Cancer Control Plan 2018 – 2022.

The important part of the National Cancer Control Plan of the Federal Government is the involvement of states. Each state is meant to have its own cancer control facilities and cancer control plan and key in into the federal government’s plan.

I must say that again we have a situation where Kano State has led the way in plugging into the overall plan of the federal government plan, which is the National Cancer Control Plan.  But they have do so typically in style.  And they have done so excellently, which is why we have a plan for an ultra-modern, cutting edge cancer treatment facility here in Kano, which we would be laying the foundation for in a few minutes from now.

I want to commend the governor for his far-sightedness in establishing this cancer control facility. But we must say that it is not just for Kano state and I think that is the point he also made that this is meant to be a cancer treatment centre of excellence for the whole nation.  Of course, I believe that will work effectively and many would come here to use this particular facility.

So, I must commend you, Your Excellency, for this innovation and for your far-sightedness and for the hard work which you have put into this programme already. I see that the structures are already coming up. It is very clear from the equipment manufacturers and the equipment suppliers that a lot has gone into this project already.

So, I really want to commend you and thank you for the great work you are doing and to say again that we are very proud of what Kano State is doing. I am sure that when I report this to the president that not only is the Muhammadu Buhari Special Hospital doing great things in brain surgery, as we have heard, in spinal cord surgery, as we have heard, but is also about to become the No 1 Cancer Treatment Centre in Nigeria. I am sure that the president will be very pleased and proud to hear about that.

So, I want to thank you very much and to say that we are all looking forward to the completion of this project within the shortest possible time and I assure you that you will get all of the support you require from the Federal Government.