President Bola Tinubu has commissioned an ultra-modern Cancer Centre at the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The inauguration, which took place on Saturday at the university complex, was performed on Tinubu’s behalf by the Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi, Chief David Umahi. The President described the facility as one of the best cancer centres in Nigeria.
To support the institution, Tinubu announced the donation of a 2,000-kilowatt regular power supply. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing the university’s infrastructure and ensuring it becomes a center of excellence in medical and health sciences, with the goal of reducing medical tourism in Nigeria.
“This institution cannot function effectively without regular power. We will also work on acquiring more land to accommodate further expansion,” Tinubu stated.
A Hub for Cancer Research and Treatment
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of DUFUHS, Prof. Jesse Uneke, expressed gratitude to the President for prioritizing infrastructure development at the university. He described the newly inaugurated centre as a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to cancer research, training, and patient care.
According to him, the centre operates with a multi-disciplinary team of specialists focused on cancer-related research, training, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. It also provides continuing care for cancer patients and their families.
Prof. Uneke cited a 2022 report from the World Health Organization’s Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), which recorded 127,763 new cancer cases in Nigeria. Of these, 48,096 (37.6%) were male, while 76,667 (62.4%) were female. The report also indicated that cancer-related deaths in Nigeria stood at 79,542, with 41.4% being male and 58.6% female.
The leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Nigerian men were prostate, colorectal, and liver cancer, while in women, breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers were the most common.
Since its establishment, the cancer centre has treated 207 patients, including 88 males and 119 females. Most of these patients (107) were aged between 40 and 69 years, with breast, cervical, and head/neck cancers being the most prevalent cases.
The inauguration of the facility marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cancer, offering hope for improved healthcare services and research in the country.
