Group Wants RSG To Establish Cancer Treatment Centres

In the face of growing cancer cases in Rivers State, the state chapter of Civil Society Organisation on health has called on the state government to establish cancer treatment centres in the state.
Speaking in an exclusive interview yesterday, chairman of the organisation, Mr Dennis Otobo said the state needs the centres, going by its status in the community of states in the country.
“Going by the position of Rivers State among states in Nigeria, we are overdue to have cancer treatment centres, especially considering the State Government’s focus of the health of her people”, he said.
He continued that “taking all our cancer patients to Ibadan or other neighbouring states does not tell well of our health services, no matter how we look at it.
“Government should establish cancer treatment centres in the state, at least a one hub treatment centre in each local government area”, he said.
According to him, for now about 90% of treatments of cancer services are provided by donor agencies and taking patients outside the state for treatment requires a lot of funds, which is mostly not available.
“If the government can provide cancer treatment centres in the state, it will not only lessen the impact of the ailment in the state, but will also alleviate the suffering of patients who are unable to afford going for treatment outside the state”, Otobo said.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Reproductive Health, Rivers State Ministry of Health (RSMOH), Dr. Iroro Smith said the State currently has mammographic machine at RSUTH. The machine is used to diagnose breast cancer, while the University of Port Harcourt has a cancer treatment centre, but it’s not enough for the State.
She, however, noted that the establishment of cancer treatment centres will go a long way to check the incidence of cancer cases in the state.

Sogbeba Dokubo