By Golok Nanmwa
JOS: The International Cancer Centre Abuja, ICCA, founded by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s widow, Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua, has entered into a partnership with Singapore-based Innova Healthcare Nigeria Limited to establish a comprehensive oncology centre in Abuja.
The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, for the project, which is expected to expand access to cancer diagnosis and treatment services in the country.
The proposed oncology centre will be established at ICCA’s existing facility on Airport Road, Abuja, eliminating the need for construction of a new building.
Under the partnership, the centre will provide a range of specialised services, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical oncology, diagnostic and laboratory services, as well as palliative care.
A statement by ICCA Communications Manager, Arhyel Shadrach Ayuba, made available to journalists in Jos, said the MoU provides the framework for collaboration between the two organisations and represents a major step towards realising the vision of the centre’s founder.
Speaking on the partnership, ICCA Director-General, Shehu Yar’Adua, said the collaboration would bring the organisation closer to its goal of making quality cancer care accessible to Nigerians.
He said the founder had envisioned a Nigeria where patients would not have to travel abroad to receive cancer treatment.
“When our founder first envisioned this centre, she dreamed of a Nigeria where no one would have to travel abroad or go without care altogether to survive a cancer diagnosis.
“This partnership with Innova brings us a meaningful step closer to that dream, not by starting from scratch, but by building on the foundation she laid,” he said.
Also speaking at the signing ceremony, Managing Director of Innova Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Francis Shokoya, said the company was committed to partnering with healthcare facilities such as ICCA to make cancer treatment more accessible and affordable.
Shokoya said the partnership was driven by the commitment of ICCA’s founder to improving access to cancer care, particularly for vulnerable Nigerians.
He said the collaboration would also focus on training and capacity building for Nigerian clinical and technical personnel, as well as investment in modern medical equipment and infrastructure.
According to the statement, Nigeria continues to face a significant cancer burden, while access to radiotherapy and other specialist oncology services remains inadequate relative to the country’s population.
It said the partnership was therefore designed to help bridge the gap by expanding access to modern and comprehensive cancer care in the Federal Capital Territory.
ICCA was founded in 2009 by Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua with the vision of establishing a nationwide cancer centre capable of providing Nigerians with access to quality cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Innova Healthcare Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of Singapore-based Innova Bio-Medical Pte Ltd, which specialises in comprehensive cancer treatment.
The company is also associated with Linatech, manufacturers of the Venus X cancer treatment machine, among other medical technologies.
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