Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday flagged-off the ultra-modern Cancer Centre of Excellence at the David Umahi University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS).
He also flagged-off a Comprehensive Medical Outreach Initiative and Tailoring Empowerment for citizens of South-East under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The free Free Medical Outreach and empowerment programmes is powered by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement Southeast, Chioma Nweze in partnership with the University.
Represented by Minsiter of Works, David Umahi, the President expressed delight at the programmes.
He hailed the institution for the Cancer, Renal and Eye Centers of Excellence, which he said will be key in the achievement of the health component of his Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerians. The President promised to continue to support the Institution in its quest to become a foremost international university reputable for learning, innovation, research, and collaboration, where the highest form of quality manpower development for the health and other related sectors will be achieved.
Mrs Nweze in her speech said the Health Programme is a critical intervention designed to provide free medical services to the people of the region especially those who cannot afford healthcare.
“We recognize that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right, and it is our responsibility to ensure that every individual in the South-East has access to it, regardless of their background or financial situation.
“Our Medical Outreach Initiative is a multifaceted programme that will provide a range of free medical services, including cancer screening for six months, free eye screening, and medical glasses to the first 200 patients”
“We will also provide dialysis treatment to patients for one year. These services will be delivered by a team of highly trained medical professionals here at DUFUHS, using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities,” she said.
“As we launch this programme today, we do so with the conviction that every life is precious, and that every individual deserves access to quality healthcare.
“We believe that by working together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our people, and create a healthier, more prosperous future for ourselves and generations to come.”
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Jesse Uneke, hailed Tinubu for his tremendous support to the school and the country’s educational sector.
“The Centre operates with a multi-disciplinary team of experts specialising in conducting research and training on cancer related issues, and caring for people with cancer disease.
“The Centre conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programmes related to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients,” he said.
