Kano state government has purchased and received more than 90 percent of the equipment needed for the commencement of operations at the state owned multi- billion naira cancer center.
Kano state Governor, Dr. Umar Ganduje stated this during a tour of the center by delegates of the annual conference of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, BON.
Biggest in Africa
He said the equipment for the cancer center rated as the biggest in Africa, have already been delivered and in the store, awaiting installation.
“Over 90 percent of the equipment are on ground and they are in our medical stores. Only very few sensitive equipment that requires cold room is remaining,” he said.
Treat all types of cancers
According to Governor Ganduje, the center will treat all types of cancers known in Africa
“In order to make it unique and distinctive, we undertook a research on the prevalence of cancer in Nigeria, West African and Africa, not dwelling only on simple cancer such as cervical, breast cancer, but all the types of cancers that are prevalent in Africa,” the Governor said.
He said the center, when commissioned, would be affordable to the less privileged as discounting rate would be worked out in their favour.
Finance treatment
He said in the arrangement, the rich would be taxed to finance treatment services needed by the less previleged at the center.
“Access by the ordinary man was put into consideration.”
“The whole issue is that, you tax the rich to improve the quality of the poor. There will be an arrangement, The rich can afford it because he doesn’t need to fly to Europe to take a hotel and also pay for the medication. Everything has been brought here, so it will be a haven of treatment for the rich.”
There will be an arrangement for the less privileged to enjoy services. There will be a discounting system for those who cannot afford it,” he said
The governor reiterated that the center modeled after a cancer center in Melbourne Australia and was also meant to reduce medical tourism, not only for the people of Kano, but all Nigerians.
Governor Ganduje adds that the Kano Cancer Treatment Center is the biggest in Nigeria, explaining that it has more capacity than that of Ghana.
Lateefah Ibrahim
