Wike: Our Cancer Center Will Reduce Death Rate in Nigeria

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre under construction in the state would reduce death rate in the state and Nigeria at large, when completed.

Speaking shortly after inspecting the progress of work done at the health facility at Rumuokwuta Town and the sand-filled area located in Ogbum-Nu-Abali Town, the governor said the project was conceived to save life of Rivers people and Nigerians.

He explained how sad it was to see many people dying, because they did not know they hadcancer or heart-related diseases, and could not also afford the cost of going abroad to seek adequate medical attention.

“Most of our people have died as a result of heart diseases, not being able to diagnose it on time. And you ask yourself, how many people have money to travel overseas. Even by the time it’s diagnosed, having the money to travel overseas becomes a problem,” he said.

The governor said with such health facility in Rivers State, those who suspect they have cancer or heart-related diseases could diagnose it on time.

According to Wike, experts in such field will also be attracted to the centre to support the staff strength to offer the best medial attention to Rivers people and Nigerians.

“So, to us, it will act as a medical tourism. It will earn foreign currency for us. People will come from outside Nigeria. Just like we travel overseas all the time.

“For example, see the facility that we have at the Government House Clinic today. That has reduced the level of people traveling overseas. Look at me, I’ve not traveled since 2019,because we have the best equipment that will be able to take care of whatever that is diagnosed.

“The Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre will reduce the time our people spend going overseas to spend money. Again, it will reduce the level of death as regard to this problem of cancer and heart diseases.”