Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has disclosed that the Funmi Olayinka Cancer Diagnostic Centre, which is under construction in Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, would be commissioned and opened for operation in October this year.
The Governor made this known during the 60th birthday lecture of Mrs Betty Akeredolu, wife of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), held in Ibadan on Saturday. Governor Fayemi who is special guest at the lecture titled: “It is time to Cancer a national health priority” said that the Funmi Olayinka Cancer Centre, will on take-off, focus on early detection of cancer.
The Centre is named after the former Deputy Governor of the State, late Mrs Funmi Olayinka, who died on April 6 after a battle with breast cancer.
Governor Fayemi who expressed confidence that the Funmi Olayinka Cancer Centre will help many citizens access modern facilities that aid early detection of the dreaded disease, said the centre would be equipped with mammogram and other necessary equipment as well as medical experts in the field of oncology.
While stressing that his administration in Ekiti State is committed to the well-being of the citizenry, the Governor said that the State Government had in a few months ago conducted free cancer check-up for citizens for them to know their cancer status.
Governor Fayemi urged governments at all levels in the country to focus on primary health care, stressing that it remained the fastest way to detect cancer and other disease at early stage.
The Governor also urged government to take Cancer as a national health priority, while relevant agencies should also carry out massive sensitization programmes of the dreaded decease across the country.
The keynote Speaker at the event, Dr Adewale Adisa, a consultant Gynaecologist, also called for a more strategic approach to the early detection and treatment of cancer in order to safe more lives.
Last modified: July 21, 2013