By: Felix Ikpotor
Rivers State Government has called on healthcare seekers in the country to patronise the Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Centre, saying the centre is now fully operational with the capacity to treat all cancer and cardiovascular related ailments.
The facility which was built during the administration of Nyesom Wike as governor of the state, remained under lock and key till late last year when the government announced that it has secured the services of a foreign operator to run the centre.
However, since then, the 65-bed space specialist centre has experienced low patronage from healthcare seekers especially persons with cancer and cardiovascular ailments. To reverse the trend, the government, through the State Ministry of Health, ceased the opportunity of this year’s World Cancer Day (WCD), to create awareness and sensitize Nigerians on the existence of the facility in Rivers State.
Speaking during a sensitization rally, Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Professor Justina Jumbo said the state government established the centre because of the deadly nature of cancer.
She noted that prior to this time, residents of the state seek cancer and cardiovascular care in far states, adding that with the establishment of the centre, they can now get care in the state.
“We are here to sensitize the public through this walk about the Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Centre.
” The state government has thought it wise to establish this centre because before now, we use to travel to other states for diagnosis and treatment but now we have the centre here, so we want to sensitize and create the awareness so that people can start patronising here.
“Today as we are moving out, we are telling the world that we have a world class centre here in Rivers State and that healthcare seekers should patronise it for screening and treatment, ” Jumbo said.
On his part, Director Medical Services in the ministry, Dr. Vincent Wachuku, said the event was also used to sensitize the people on cancer and also conduct free screening for the people.
“Because it’s World Cancer Day, there is screening for breast cancer, screening for prostrate and cervical cancer and all that is free for today; and we intend to screen a minimum of 500 patients, ” Wachuku said.
He explained that the state government was doing alot to ensure that everyone gets proper care at a subsidized rate at the centre.
Chief Executive Officer of the centre, Tony Rahme said the hospital is committed to serving all categories of the society by rendering affordable care, free screening and creating awareness.
“We are assuring that we are serving the community in the best way by offering free screening to the community and doing a walk to fight cancer altogether.
“This hospital is committed to serve all parts of the society. We have a segment that represents the majority of the society and we put all our services to them, so we are affordable to all segments of the society, ” Rahme assured.
On the services rendered at the hospital, the CEO explained that the centre offers treatment in advance oncology, surgery, cardiovascular care including cardiovascular surgeries and kidney transplant.
He added that the centre has a team of foreign doctors and nurses coming in to work and also train local medical officers to entrench sustainability of care at the facility.
