L-R: Zainab Bagudu, wife of the minister of budget and national planning; Chioma Uzodimma, wife of the Imo state governor; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun state governor; Bamidele Abiodun, wife of the Ogun state governor; Tomi Coker, commissioner for health; and Ladipo Hameed, general manager, Roche Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Company
Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, says his administration will provide budgetary support to boost cancer awareness, early detection, and treatment across the state.
Abiodun spoke on Tuesday in Abeokuta while receiving a cancer awareness and screening team during the commissioning of a free breast screening centre — the second of its kind in the country.
The delegation included Chioma Uzodimma, wife of the Imo governor; Zainab Bagudu, wife of the minister of budget and national planning and president-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC); Bamidele Abiodun, wife of the Ogun governor; officials of Roche Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Company; and commissioners for health and women affairs, among others.
Abiodun described cancer as “no respecter of status, wealth, or affluence”, stressing the importance of early detection and treatment.
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“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 said his administration would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to strengthen cancer prevention and management.
He added that companies operating in the state would be encouraged to adopt cancer initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
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Abiodun also said the government would explore the inclusion of cancer screening in the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme to ensure wider access.
“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,” he said.
Chioma noted that the visit was part of a broader breast cancer awareness campaign 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,” she said.
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“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.”
Bamidele commended Roche Healthcare for donating the breast screening centre to the Oba Ademola Hospital in Abeokuta, describing it as a boost to healthcare delivery in the state.
Ladipo Hammed, general manager of Roche Healthcare, said the company seeks partnerships during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to support healthcare systems nationwide, adding that early detection remains key to reducing cancer deaths.
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