Dappa Maharajah.
WIFE of Ondo State governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has urged government at all levels to make provisions for appropriation in the fight for cancer control, treatment and prevention in the nation’s budget.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu said this on Tuesday during the launching of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) and investiture of its state executives led by the state coordinator, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ayimoro in Akure.
Several state chapters of the association across the country, traditional rulers, health stakeholders, civil societies and all top government functionaries graced the occasion.
She noted that BRECAN is about humanitarian services and giving back to the society, “It is something that everybody should be concerned about because it is affecting a very important sector of our society.”
She identified women as the predominant victims of breast cancer in the world, stressing that “anything that affects the health of the women negatively will also affect everyone.”
The Firstlady, who disclosed she survived the disease 20 years ago, lamented that the government and individuals suffering the ailments, are not proactive in the control, prevention and treatment of the disease.
The BRECAN founder, Anyanwu-Akeredolu, also decried the lukewarm attitude of government, unlike other countries across the world, to the fight against the disease by not creating appropriation for it in the budget.
“I have been on the rooftop screaming for everyone that cares to know. I am a survivor, I am using my experience to enlist to the heart of everyone that you can survive it. Twenty years and still looking good, it is because of information.
“If I am here speaking to you after 20 years, I don’t see why any woman should die of breast cancer,” she said, assuring that the state government will establish a well-equipped cancer treatment with radiotherapy, mammogram and other facilities.
Re-enlivening her experience, she also lamented that government, corporate bodies and organisations in the country are not doing well in the global fight against cancer.
“Breast cancer is ravaging our women, some get it as young as 18 or 21 years. Government must identify breast cancer as a killer disease and should budget henceforth for cancer control, prevention and treatment,” she said.
The National President of BRECAN, Mrs. Juliet Ogbuogu, who described Akeredolu as a unique ambassador of BRECAN, said the governor had always been a supportive person.
Ogbuogu also demanded that cancer treatment centre, saying “We want breast cancer screening machine in Ondo State.”
Ogbuogu particularly urged Akeredolu to use his good office to lobby the state House of Assembly to make case for breast cancer control in the budget to support the disease’s prevention advocacy.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), had assured of his administration’s commitment to prevent untimely deaths among breast cancer patients in the state.
According to him, many patients are not lucky to survive the disease because of its deadly nature, assuring that his administration would take efforts aimed at treating the disease seriously.
“If you are not lucky, no amount of money can save from the pangs of this deadly disease,” revealing that he had committed a lot of his personal resources to fight breast cancer for a long time now. He urged early detection of the disease to prevent it from advancing.
Akeredolu recalled that a report had earlier recommended that a cancer treatment centre should be established in the state. He said the fight against breast cancer requires the cooperation of all.
The governor therefore assured that the centre would be established to ensure that the disease is detected early for treatment.
