CSO Wants Cancer Treatment Centres In Rivers

The Rivers State Chapter of the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) has called on the state government to establish a cancer treatment centres in the state to address the current growing cancer cases in the State.
Making the call yesterday in an exclusive interview, Chairman of the organisation, Mr Dennis Otobo, said going by its status among the commity of states in the country, Rivers State needs such centres in strategic areas of the State.
He stated that, “going by the position of Rivers State among States in the country, we are overdue to have enough cancer treatment centers, especially considering the State Government’s focus on the health of her people”.
According to him, “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 establishment cancer treatment centers in the State, at least a one hub treatment  center in each Local Government Area”, he said.
Otobo explained that for now, about 99% of treatments for cancer, and related services are provided by donor agencies, and patients are taken outside the State for treatment, which requires a lot of fund that is mostly not available.
“If Government can provide cancer treatment centers 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 cannot afford going for treatment outside the State”, he said.
On her part, the State Coordinator of Reproductive Health, Dr Ororo Smith, said the State currently has mammographic machine at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), that is used to diagnose breast cancer, while the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has cancer treatment center, “but it’s not enough”.
She also noted that establishment of cancer treatment centers “will go a long way in checking the menace of cancer cases in the State”.

By:  Sogbeba Dokubo