Governor Hycinth Alia of Benue State has pledged two billion Naira (₦2 billion) to establish a state-of-the-art Cancer Treatment Centre at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi. This significant donation was announced during his address at the BSUTH International Health Investment Summit and Scientific Exhibition, aimed at raising funds for the new facility.
Speaking at the event held at the Main Auditorium of the School of Medical Sciences, Benue State University, Alia emphasized his administration’s dedication to enhancing health services in the state. The summit, themed “Towards Attaining a One Stop Hospital,” highlighted the urgent need for advanced cancer care, given the high mortality rate associated with the disease in Nigeria.
Governor Alia pointed out that cancer, responsible for over 79,000 deaths annually and approximately 124,000 new cases in Nigeria, requires innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to combat effectively. He assured that his administration would continue to allocate resources judiciously to address this critical health challenge in Benue.
Dr. Tolulope Adewale, a prominent speaker at the event, noted that cancer is a leading cause of death in Africa, with Nigeria shouldering 40 percent of the continent’s cancer burden. He stressed the importance of the new Cancer Centre in reducing the strain of long-distance travel for treatment and alleviating the overall cancer burden in the state.
Despite the commendable initiative, Dr. Adewale highlighted that the proposed five billion Naira budget for the Cancer Centre might be insufficient. He explained that the cost of essential equipment, such as a Linear Accelerator for treatment, could consume the entire budget, underscoring the need for additional funding and support. Adewale called for government cooperation, public-private partnerships, and contributions from NGOs and individuals to realize the project.
Eric Liuquin, Chairman of Unicure Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, encouraged further collaboration with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to leverage its expertise in nuclear technology for the Centre’s success.
Former Governor Sen. Gabriel Suswam, who chaired the occasion, expressed his gratitude for being part of the event and emphasized the importance of focusing on development beyond political considerations.
