‘New Cases of Cancer In Nigeria Hit 125,000, With 80,000 deaths recorded- Reps speaker, Tajudeen Abbas

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Speaker of Federal House of Representatives,Tajudeen Abbas has decried the high rate of cancer patients, revealing that over 125,000 new cases have been reported, with 80,000 deaths recorded across the country representing 45.3 new cases.

He disclosed this during the occasion of a N7 billion endowment fund for the establishment of a Cancer Treatment Centre at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, BSUTH held at college of health sciences auditorium, Makurdi.

The speaker who was represented by House Committee Chairman on Health Institutions, Amos Magaji, said cancer has done so much damage to the health system of many Nigerians especially women, adding that the initiative to build a treatment centre in Makurdi is a very laudable one

According to him, Nigeria bears 40 percent of African cancer burden, stressing that there is need to curtail medical tourism by building a solid health culture.

He stressed the need to have treatment option and develop capacity of health care.

Abbas maintained that the House of Representative is taking the lead in robust health care system in Nigeria hence the need to encourage potential investors to appreciate the importance of this center.

He promised to encourage public and private spirited individuals to donate to the Center, saying it is a new dawn in Nigeria health care sector.

Earlier, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, announced donation of N 2 billion for the establishment of a Cancer Treatment Center in the State during the endowment fund raising.

He disclosed that Cancer has killed well over 75,000 people in Nigeria, stating that new approaches and collective effort are required to curtail the new tend of the disease.

According to him, the present administration is committed to increasing he