Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday
inaugurated the ultra-modern cancer diagnostic and wellness centre in memory of
his late deputy, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, who died of breast cancer in April.
Fayemi said the state government used the
opportunity of the adversity of Olayinka’s death to establish the centre in
Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH, to combat the scourge in the
state.
The governor, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti while
inaugurating the Funmi Aduuni Olayinka Cancer Diagnostic and Wellness Centre as
part of activities marking his administration’s third anniversary, said the
facility would make Ekiti people enjoy first-class services in the treatment of
cancer and related matters without having to travel outside the state or
country for diagnosis.
Speaking at the event, the founder of Breast
Cancer Association of Nigeria, BRECAN, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, a cancer survivor,
described the centre as a laudable initiative to save lives.
She said: “With this, Ekiti State is
demonstrating that it is possible to turn adversity around.”
Akeredolu called on Non-Government
Organisations, NGOs, and well meaning Nigerians to collaborate in the bid to rid
society of cancer.
Blaming ignorance for deaths of many Nigerian
women due to the scourge, she said it was now treatable, especially with recent
discoveries through medical research.
The BRECAN founder, who said awareness on
cancer was a necessary first step towards early detection and treatment,
advised women to regularly embark on breast self-examination.
Akeredolu, who said January 1, 2020 deadline
had been set to end breast cancer in Africa, said: “Ekiti State is already on
the move. The step I am taking is to make sure all Nigerian women become breast
cancer aware.”
She advised against patronising quacks, herbal
and spiritual homes for the treatment of the scourge, saying the Funmi Adunni
Olayinka Cancer Diagnostic and Wellness Centre came in handy to meet their
needs.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olusola
Fasubaa, said the centre, equipped with modern equipment, would focus on early
detection and treatment of cancer as well as treat other chronic diseases like
hypertension and diabetes.
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