http://www.tribune.com.ng/news/news-headlines/item/28682-nigerians-spend-200-yearly-on-cancer


Nigerians spend a whopping sum
of 200 million dollars yearly,
visiting Indian hospitals for
cancer solutions, thereby placing
Nigeria top on the list of
countries visiting Indian
hospitals globally.
This startling figure was
disclosed on Wednesday at an
exhibition to mark the World
Cancer Day, organised by the
Committee Encouraging
Corporate Philanthropy(CECP) and
the Association of Advertising
Agencies of Nigeria on Victoria
Island, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the
chairman on the occasion,
Professor Pat Utomi, who
described cancer as a terrible
scourge, said urgent solution
was needed to prevent this
ailment that had shortened lives
of our loved ones in this country.
Another speaker, Mr Alfred Onyali
lamented that Nigeria is well
blessed with abundant resources,
hence the need for many hospitals
both in the hinterland and urban
areas,
He added that we do not have any
justifiable reason to travel
abroad to receive medical
treatment.
According to him, India has 120
cancer centres, adding that We
could replicate the same here, in
order to save lives of our loved
ones who are dying daily because
of this scourge.
He said the latest record on
cancer in India is 99 per cent
survivor as of today, while it is
zero level in Nigeria. “There are
many hospitals in India, so they
can detect the symptoms early.
“We need to do same here because
I know cancer can be cured if
detected early.”As at today ,no
fewer than 26 men are killed daily
of the prostate cancer and 40
women dying of breast cancers.
Imagine Nigeria has the worst
record on cancer as at today and
we must do something to right the
wrongs of the past. “It is high
time our government should
emphasis more on how to protect
and prevent loss of lives and to
de-emphasis focus on politicking.
The exhibitors, however,
concluded that comprehensive
cancer centre and mobile cancer
centre should be established in all
the states to enable people to
have access to medical check up,
in order to outright exterminate
cancer menace in the country.

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