By JKNewsMedia
OGUN STATE Governor Dapo Abiodun has pledged that his administration will provide dedicated budgetary support to enhance cancer awareness, early detection, and treatment across the state.
The governor made the commitment on Tuesday in Abeokuta while receiving a Cancer Awareness and Screening delegation during the commissioning of a free Breast Screening Centre, the second of its kind in Nigeria.
The delegation included the wife of the Governor of Imo State, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma; wife of the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Bagudu, who also serves as President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC); wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; the General Manager of Roche Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Company, Dr Ladipo Hammed; and the Ogun State Commissioners for Health and for Women Affairs and Social Development.
Governor Abiodun noted that cancer poses a threat to all segments of society, regardless of social status, and emphasised that early detection and treatment are crucial to saving lives.
“Nothing can be more proactive than ensuring all hands are on deck for early detection and treatment, as some cancer variants are treatable if discovered early,” he said.
The governor assured the visiting team that his administration would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to strengthen cancer prevention, awareness, and management.
He further stated that companies operating within the state would be encouraged to include the establishment of cancer awareness and treatment centres as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
“Government cannot do it alone, and I can confidently assure you that as a state government, we will support you in that regard. We will provide the necessary support, including budgetary provisions, because that is very important,” he said.
Governor Abiodun also disclosed plans to explore the inclusion of cancer screening in the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme to make screening services more accessible to residents, particularly those in rural areas.
He said the new Breast Screening Centre would complement ongoing state health initiatives aimed at improving early diagnosis, promoting preventive healthcare, and reducing cancer-related mortality.
Earlier, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma explained that the team’s visit was part of a nationwide campaign on breast cancer awareness, carried out in partnership with Roche Healthcare and the Ogun State Government.
“We have come together to create awareness in our various states, pay hospital bills for cancer patients, and engage in advocacy work. Roche has been our major partner for years, and we urge the state to include cancer screening in its health insurance scheme and establish a Cancer Health Fund,” she said.
Mrs Uzodimma highlighted that such initiatives were essential to bridging access gaps and ensuring that early detection services reach women in both urban and rural communities.
In her remarks, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun commended Roche Healthcare for donating a free Breast Screening Centre to the Oba Ademola Hospital, Abeokuta.
She described the gesture as a significant contribution to healthcare delivery in Ogun State, noting that it aligns with the state government’s broader healthcare objectives.
“This centre will make early screening available to more women, saving lives through timely diagnosis. We appreciate Roche Healthcare for this impactful collaboration,” she said.
Dr Ladipo Hammed, General Manager of Roche Healthcare, stated that the company has continued to support cancer awareness initiatives nationwide, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
He said the partnership with state governments is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and improving survival rates through early detection.
“We believe early detection is key in reducing cancer mortality. Our goal is to build sustainable partnerships that strengthen healthcare systems and make cancer screening accessible to all Nigerians,” he said.
Dr Hammed added that Roche’s contribution of screening equipment and technical support would complement government efforts and improve the capacity of medical facilities to handle cancer detection and treatment.
Also speaking, Dr Zainab Bagudu called for continuous follow-up, sustainability, and the institutionalisation of cancer awareness and screening programmes within Nigeria’s healthcare policies.
She emphasised that cancer control should be a policy priority across all states.
“We must ensure that awareness does not end with campaigns.
Sustainability, follow-up, and institutionalisation are essential. Cancer screening and awareness should be built into national and state health policies to ensure continuity,” she said.
Dr Bagudu, who also serves as the President-elect of the UICC, stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships between public institutions, healthcare providers, and private organisations to promote early detection and reduce the burden of cancer.
Governor Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to prioritise preventive healthcare and ensure that cancer screening becomes a regular part of public health services across Ogun State.
He said the government would allocate resources to create more screening centres, support training for healthcare workers, and collaborate with local and international partners to sustain the initiative.
He added that the government’s focus on healthcare reform aligns with the broader agenda of improving access to quality medical services and ensuring that no citizen is left behind in preventive health programmes.
Governor Abiodun expressed appreciation to the visiting delegation for their partnership and commended their commitment to fighting cancer through advocacy, public enlightenment, and medical outreach.
He also pledged that Ogun State would remain a model for other states in cancer prevention and healthcare innovation.
