The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Health Services to ensure the Federal Ministry of Health directs all Teaching Hospitals to immediately establish cancer treatment centres and also commence free treatment of cancer patients.
The House also urged the committee to mandate the Federal Ministry of Finance and Budget Office of the federation to appropriate funds to achieve this aim.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance titled, “Motion on the Urgent Need for Free Cancer Treatment in Nigeria” moved by Yusuf Ahmad Badau.
In his lead debate, the Lawmaker noted that the devastation caused by cancer and the rising number of patients in Nigeria is very alarming and urgent steps are needed to cushion the effects on affected persons.
He also noted that the disease has recorded unprecedented cases of deaths in recent times due to lack of government intervention in cancer treatment.
This, it said, results in difficulties being experienced by many affected persons in meeting the financial obligation of the treatment.
“The House was aware that the majority of the affected persons are low-income earners mostly in rural communities where there is no or little funds and a lack of awareness on prevention and managing the disease.
“The House was also aware that there is an urgent need for the government to provide the legal framework to ensure free treatment of cancer in all Teaching Hospitals to eradicate or reduce the high rate of death caused by cancer in Nigeria.
Adopting the motion, the house urged the committee as well as the Legislative Compliance Committee to ensure compliance with the directive.
Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji
Top popular
Post comments (0)