Reps seek free treatment for cancer patients

Cancer patients across the country may soon heave a sigh of relief as the House of Representatives on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to provide funding for the establishment of free cancer treatment centres across the country.

This followed the adoption of a motion on matter of urgent importance on “The Need for free cancer treatment in Nigeria,” moved by member representing Shanono/Bagwai Federal Constitiuency, Kano State, Mr Yusuf Badau.

The lawmaker described the devastation cause by cancer disease and the rising number of cancer patients in Nigeria as alarming, adding that “Urgent step is needed to cushion the effect on the affected persons of the disease.”

He said, “This disease has recorded unprecedented cases of deaths in recent time due to lack of government intervention in cancer treatment which result to difficulties been experienced by many affected persons in meeting the financial obligation of the treatment.

“The House is aware that majority of these affected persons are low-income earners mostly in rural communities where there is no or just little fund, awareness on prevention and managing cancer disease compared to other developed Nations of the world.

“The House is also aware that, there is urgent need for government to provide the legal framework to ensure free treatment of cancer in all teaching hospitals so as to eradicate or reduce the high rate of death caused by cancer disease in Nigeria.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House Committee on Health Services mandated the Federal Ministry of Health to direct all teaching hospitals in the country to “Immediately establish cancer treatment centres and commence free treatment of cancer patients in their hospitals.”

The House also mandated the Federal Ministry of Finance and Budget Office of the Federation to appropriate funds to ensure the establishment of cancer treatment centres and free cancer treatment exercise in Nigeria.

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