By Gbenga Akingbule
Federal Government of Nigeria has on Tuesday assured that the new University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Cancer Centre will in no small measure assist to reduce frequent medical tourism embarked upon by Nigerians by the time the centre is commissioned.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Cancer Center is the only Centre in Nigeria that has four bunkers and modern medical facilities that will ensure quality treatment and management of cancer patients, the Federal Government said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health Alh. Mamman Mamuda disclose this in Maiduguri while on an inspection of projects executed in the Hospital.
According to the Permanent Secretary, other cancer centres across the country does not have the capacity and “are not up to the standard” of UMTH Cancer Centre.
“From what I have seen on the ground, I can say that the UMTH is ready to stop medical tourism in Nigeria. In terms of cancer management, just like the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari, is ready to assist cancer patients.
“We are already strategizing on how we can incorporate the UMTH to be a beneficiary of the Cancer support fund of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Mamuda said.
Director of Hospital Services Dr. Adebinpe Adebiyi who came alongside the Permanent Secretary described the Cancer Centre as one of the best in the country, stated that “it is beating the trends” of other centres before it.
Dr Adebiyi revealed that the issue of personnel at the new Cancer Centre is given a top priority by the Management of UMTH noting that the capacity building of personnel to man the Centre have been completed.
“When we have Nigerians going abroad and meeting fellow Nigerians treating them. Why can’t they stay here and treat Nigerians?” She asked.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD)of UMTH, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo said the Cancer Centre which was built with over N5 Billion can boast of the newest medical facilities in Sub- Saharan Africa, noting that the vision of UMTH is to ensure that no medical issues are referred outside the UMTH “as the Epic Hospital in the North East Region.”
“As mentioned earlier, we have four bunkers here, two linear accelerators and two brachytherapists. The linear accelerators that we have ie the nectar infinity are the first coming into Nigeria. The Second one that the Federal Ministry of Health just finished the procurement process for us is called HD Versa and it’s the first coming into the Sub- Saharan Africa and it’s the latest approach in the globe,” Prof Ahidjo said.
The CMD revealed that the installation of the equipment for the Cancer Centre will commence in two weeks and it is expected to be completed in two months before the Federal Government will decide on a date for the commissioning.
