News
Odili Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease Treatment Centre’ll Stem Capital Flight -Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Port Harcourt would stem capital flight and promote medical tourism in the state.
The governor said the Cancer and Cardiovascular Diagnosis Treatment Centre, which would soon be inaugurated and open to the public, would serve as a vehicle for promoting economic and social development and generating revenue for the state.
Wike stated this shortly after inspecting the progress of work at the hospital, last Wednesday.
The governor explained that his administration was spurred to embark on the construction of the multi-billion Naira Cancer and Cardiovascular Diagnosis Treatment Centre to help patients who cannot afford to travel abroad for medical treatment.
He said when the centre would be commissioned and open for public use, it would drastically reduce the number of those seeking medical treatment overseas, as complicated cases would be conveniently treated in the state.
“Most people have died, particularly because of one type of cancer or one type of heart disease; and so many of these people also may not have had the money to travel overseas for treatment. So, we said look, we can’t continue to allow this.”
Wike noted that though the country has lots of cancer and cardiovascular experts, the lack of technologically advanced medical equipment and standard hospital often impede their potentials.
According to him, the world-class Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Diagnosis Treatment Centre would be equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities to enable medical experts maximise their full potentials in the state.
The governor, who took time to inspect the helipad, the doctor’s quarters, therapy centre, the landscaping and some of the state-of-the-art medical equipment, disclosed that the Rivers State Government would engage private partners to manage the hospital.
“We are already having discussion with partners overseas who will come and run this centre. We won’t leave it to the Ministry of Health, but their doctors will be part of it. We will do it in such a way that it will be public-private partnership so that we don’t regret investing in this edifice.”
The Rivers State governor commended the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, for adhering to the terms of the contract and the timeline set for the completion of the project.
“A project we said will be completed within one year, Julius Berger has completed it. All we are waiting for is to take a date and commission it. This is world class standard. The Cancer and Cardiovascular Diagnosis Treatment Centre is world class. I’m not comparing, but I don’t know any cancer and cardiovascular diagnosis treatment centre that can match this. If you have travelled all over the world, you’ll know what it is.”
He said the hospital would be commissioned in October along with the 8th and 9th flyovers, and the dualised Ahoada-Omoku Road.
The governor also inspected ongoing work at the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo flyover.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
