Cancer Treatment: Abuja Patients Receive $300k Lifeline

Do you know that Nigeria has one of the most advanced cancer treatment systems within the African Continent?

With a $300,000 fund injection to the National Hospital in Abuja, from the NNPC/Renaissance Joint Venture, cancer treatment in the country has been further boosted.

The gesture announced at the office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is expected to support the continuous operation of the Linear Accelerator Radiotherapy Machine.

A statement by the NNPC Limited Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, on Thursday, said the contribution would help the government to bridge funding gaps on the procurement of equipment relating to cancer treatment.

Stating that LINAC machine had already transformed cancer treatment at the hospital, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Oluwaseyi Omotowa, listed what the machine had already accomplished for the hospital.

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These, he said, include:

1. treatment of over 2,000 patients,
2. an 80 per cent reduction in treatment costs,
3. sharp reduction in therapy time from 12 minutes to 2 minutes.
4. delivery of subsidised cared to 712 indigent patients

“The sustainability of such advanced medical technology hinges on regular maintenance, which presents a critical challenge due to funding constraints,” he said.

Omotowa, represented by the Head of Business Services at NNPC-NUIMS, Nkechi Anaedobe, listed other things the machine would lead to:

• timely maintenance to prevent any delays in treatment;
• minimised downtime with guaranteed response times,
• ensuring machine’s availability when needed most;
• compliance with medical standards and audits,
• safeguard of quality of care provided;
• accurate calibration for effective treatment, which is vital for the precision required in radiotherapy, amongst others.

“This donation will ensure timely maintenance, minimise downtime, guarantee compliance with medical standards, and maintain precise calibration for effective treatment,” he said.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, praised the donation, describing it as a model corporate intervention that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed focus on health sector investment.

“This aligns perfectly with the broader efforts to revamp critical infrastructure aimed at improving the quality of healthcare for our people. Your track record is truly commendable, and this gesture underscores the intentionality behind driving impactful change.

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“Quality healthcare comes at a cost, and with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed focus on health sector investment, partnerships like this from forward-thinking private actors significantly strengthen the cause”, Pate said.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Muhammad Raji Mahmud, said the support had significantly strengthened local capacity for cancer treatment and reduced reliance on medical tourism.

“We treat thousands of patients annually, and this support has been profound. It is a lifeline of hope for those who depend on our services,” he stated.