Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia has made a cash donation of two billion naira (N2 Billion) for the establishment of Cancer Treatment Centre at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
The Governor made the donation Friday, July 19, 2024 at the International Health Investment Summit & Scientific Exhibition and Endowment fund for Establishment of a Cancer Centre on the theme: “Towards Attaining a One Stop Hospital”.
The event which took place at the Main Auditorium of School of Medical Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, featured keynote address from the Managing Director, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Advanced Medical Services, Dr. Tolulope Adewole.
Governor Alia said: “new approaches and collective efforts are needed to reverse the ugly trend of cancer which has been responsible for 79,000 deaths and approximately 124,000 cases in Nigeria each year, accounting for the second highest cancer burden in Africa”
“As a token of our commitment to this cause, I am pleased to announce a donation of N2 billion for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Cancer Treatment Centre at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi”
The Governor, who said his administration deliberately introduced innovative approaches to increase access to quality healthcare delivery in the State, promised to continue to be upright and prudently utilize available resources at all times for the benefit of Benue people.
He commended the Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, Dr. Stephen Terungwa Hwande for the bold initiative and urged the Management to work towards making the International Health Investment Summit and Scientific Exhibition a yearly event.
The Chairman of the occasion and former senator representing Benue Northeast Senatorial District, Sen. Gabriel Suswam, said he was humbled and very appreciative of his invitation to the occasion, adding that when it comes to development there is no politics.
Suswam, who highlighted the benefits of having a cancer treatment centre near to the people said he was always available whenever his contribution is needed for the development of the state, just as he called on Benue people to appreciate Governor Alia whom he said was genuinely interested in the development of the state.
The Tor Tiv and Chairman Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse accompanied by the Och’ Idoma HRM, Agaba-Idu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John and Tor Lobi, HRH Moses Anageende lauded the initiative for the establishment of a Cancer Centre in Benue State and assured of their royal and moral support for the growth and development of the State.
Tor Tiv expressed a goodwill towards Governor Alia, saying the fathers of the land were proud of him and that they wanted him to continue doing what he is doing to change the fortunes of Benue State.
The event had in attendance top government officials as well as senior medical professionals within and outside Nigeria, including the chairman of Unicure Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd, Eric Hanqin Liu and former Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, amongst others.
