“…Nigeria records over 120,000 new cancer cases yearly leading to thousands of deaths.“
by Osita Chinedu
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last presidential elections in Nigeria, His Excellency Mr. Peter Gregory Obi has called on the government to prioritize the health care of Nigerians.
Speaking through his Twitter (X) handle on the commemoration of World Cancer Day (WCD) 2024 and urged that more investment be made in our health sector with adequate attention given to health care facilities to aid the provision of decent health care in the country.
In his words, “Cancer, though a dangerous disease, has been empirically established that its effects on society can be controlled drastically if adequate healthcare is put in place to encourage early detection and adequate cure and care.”
“A study by Pfizer-established research institute, Kano, Independent Research Centre Trust (KIRCT) showed that Nigerians spend between $1.5 billion to $2 billion annually on medical tourism,” he added.
Speaking further, according to The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, he revealed thst Nigeria records over 120,000 new cancer cases yearly leading to thousands of deaths.
The LP presidential candidate is optimistic that with the provision of adequate healthcare in the country, these numbers can be drastically reduced and many cancer-related cases can be adequately managed.
More so, Peter Obi attested that such a huge amount that goes into medical tourism, if additionally invested in our health sector, will save many lives and give more Nigerians access to healthcare.
He therefore enjoined all the leaders to seize the opportunity of the World Cancer Day 2024 to soberly reflect on the need to prioritize our health sector.
He equally encouraged all Nigerians to do their best in managing some risk factors and making positive life choices like eating healthy diets and frequently engaging in physical exercises which can help in reducing the chances of cancer infection.
