There is a ray of hope for indigent cancer patients in Nigeria as President Muhammadu Buhari has recently made funds available for their treatment, Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has disclosed.
"' For the first time in the history of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has recently at the National Assembly provided funds in this direction.
" President Buhari has already released 735m naira under the cancer health fund for budget year 2020.
" This is a happy story for all of us and all those critical stakeholders relentlessly engaged in the fight against the dreaded disease," he added .
Bagudu was speaking in Abuja on Saturday at the 2021 " Walk-Away Cancer ' awareness campaign.
The Kebbi State Governor added that, under the presidential package, eligible indigent patients will be assisted.
This, Bagudu stated is in addition to the myriad of cancer treatment centres springing up across Nigeria.
" These centres are being supported by the federal government and various private local and international initiatives.
" All these efforts are targeted at routing out the deadly disease from Nigeria, especially as it has remained a formidable health challenge in the country .
" However, in the last few years, Nigeria and Kebbi State have made signigucant progresses in stamping out the disease.
" And I am optimistic that, with the current tempo of efforts and commendable trajectory , Nigeria would be placed in a very comfortable position," the Chairman of the APC Governors' Forum averred.
Meanwhile, Bagudu has said that , cancer advocacy in Nigeria has remained robust and efficacious in the last thirteen years.
He particularly extolled the impeccable , unassailable and commendable pioneering works of his wife , Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu who according to him has been tangibly making in the state, Nigeria , Africa and the world at large.
According to the elated Bagudu, " she has mobilized different companies and organizations to come and be part of the various cancer-related occasions.
" Tremendous support for the treatment of indigent cancer patients, especially at the grassroots has been attracted by her in the state and nationally .
" The costs of travelling , screenig, diagnosis and treatment are always on the high side and unaffordable to these teeming indigent patients "he stated.
The Kebbi State Governor further extolled her significant roles in the creation of cancer registries in the state, as well as the creation of indigent fund.
He noted that the fund mobilised funds for the extension of support to the indigent cancer patients.
Bagudu said:" This has led to the creation of the catastrophic cancer fund at the international level."
Earlier before the commencement of the Walkaway Cancer, the organiser of the program and proprietor of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, the wife of Kebbi State Governor, expressed her excitement with the large turnout of people from different works of life and different parts of the country, who came out to support the campaign.
"' Despite the time and challeges that we have, I want to thank you all for coming out to support the cause and create awareness to fight cancer in the country.
'' As we walk today , I want us to stay safe and be responsible ,'' she urged.
This year's cancer awareness program was attended by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs.Dolapo Osinbanjo and a host of many personalities.
The 5-kilometer awareness campaign walk started at the Medicaid Radio - Diagnostics Center and Clinics, Benson Crescent Utako, Abuja, with Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu taking the lead.