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FG To Include Cancer Treatment In Health Insurance Scheme

Published

3 months ago

February 6, 2024

The Federal Government on Monday said efforts were ongoing to include cancer treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

This is to ensure adequate and affordable healthcare services for citizens diagnosed with cancer.

The National Coordinator, Cancer Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Uche Nwokwu, disclosed this at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association Cancer Awareness Summit, in commemoration of the Year 2024 World Cancer Day.

Nwokwu noted that the government has in place the Cancer Health Funds which provides comprehensive cancer care for patients.

According to him, over 2,445 patients had been registered for the scheme while over 750 patients are currently being funded.

He said, “We understand that one of the major things cancer affects is the pockets of the affected affected families and communities. Cancer is capable of impoverishing anybody. Nobody has the capacity on their own to afford cancer care anywhere in the world not just in Nigeria.

“The government is taking steps to ensure that it is included in the health insurance which is one of the major areas that people can afford to to assess the care and pay for it.

“We also understand that since not everybody is yet on health insurance, the one has provided what they call cancer health funds, the fund provides comprehensive cancer care. As we speak over 2,445 patients are registered and over 750 have been funded. The fund provides treatment for surgery, chemotherapy, and therapy and its centre is at the National Hospital. We also have a mandate of the minister to go across the country.”

Nwoku added that the government had also entered into partnerships with Non-governmental Organisations to subsidise the cost of chemotherapies.

Close care gap for cancer patients, association urges government.
“The government also partnered with some NGOs and other sector players to reduce the costs of chemotherapies which are also very expensive,” he added.

The Wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mariya Lagbaja, noted that lack of awareness and access to quality health care among others have widened the care gap for cancer patients.

Lagbaja said, “As we are all aware, some of these gaps include limited access to quality healthcare facilities, financial restrictions faced by patients, and limited awareness regarding the Disease.

“Without any doubt, the lack of awareness most especially, has serious consequences, as it prevents many people from seeking early diagnosis and prompt treatment.”

She, however, urged Nigerians to undergo regular screenings and actively participate in raising awareness about the disease.

Lagbaja said, “As we commemorate this event, let us remember that our collective efforts have the power to make a difference. By spreading awareness, advocating for regular screenings, and supporting those affected by Cancer, we can contribute to a future where this disease no longer claims lives.”

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.

The National Cancer Control Plan (2018–2022) stated that cancer causes 72,000 annual deaths in Nigeria, with approximately 102,000 new cases each year.

News

Moment Chief Defense Staff Hosts Prince Harry, Meghan Markle In Reception [VIDEO/PHOTOS]

Published

10 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Editor

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended a reception hosted by the Chief of Defense Staff.

This was after they attended a volleyball game earlier in the day.

During the reception, which held at the Armed Forces Officers Mess & Suites in Abuja, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex received asho oke gifts from Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

The couple also danced with Dabiri-Erewa.

The purpose of the visit was to introduce the royal couple to Nigeria’s rich socio-cultural heritage and provide an opportunity for the Duchess of Sussex to explore her Nigerian lineage.

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JUST IN: Again, Aircraft Skids Off Runway At Lagos Airport

Published

17 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Editor

Photo: file copy

Barely 16 days after Dana Air was shut down by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authorities, another aircraft belonging to XEJET Airlines also skidded off the runway and landed in the grass at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Saturday.

Following this development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has shut the 18/Left runway of the airport

The Airbus with registration 5N-BZZ with 52 passengers on board departed Abuja and landed in Lagos at 11.29 am.

Just last month, Dana MD-82 aircraft was involved in a skidding off of the runway, necessitating the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to order the suspension of the carrier for a comprehensive auditing.

Last year, in November, two aircraft from two different airlines skidded off the runway, in one week.

Aero Contractors, flight NG 119 with a registered Boeing 737 aircraft 5N-BYQ from Lagos to Abuja had a total of 133 passengers on board.

All passengers were safely evacuated through a controlled disembarkation.

The temporary closure of the runway by FAAN limits the airport to one single runway which is expected to lead to aircraft delays and landing.

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Bimbo Olajide, confirmed that an aircraft belonging to Xejet Airlines skidded off the runway of the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport on Saturday.

She stated that a team had been deployed to the site of the incident.

“Our teams are there and on top of the matter. But whether or not the runway will be reopened today, i cannot immediately answer questions on that.” NSIB spokesperson told PUNCH Online.

News

Ededuna Obaseki’s Descendants Congratulate King Charles On Coronation Anniversary

Published

19 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Editor

The entire direct descendants of World War II Veteran and a recipient of World War II Medals of Honour, Capt. Ededuna Walter Obaseki, has congratulated His Majesty King Charles III on his first coronation anniversary.

A congratulatory message signed by Mercy Ededuna Obaseki on behalf of The descendants, and made available to INFO DAILY prayed God to bless the King with long life, honour, and good health.

“We wish His Majesty good health so that he can effectively pilot the affairs of The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and The Realms of The Commonwealth,” the message added.

The descendants, while thanking the British government for preserving the records of their late father, urged the King of the Great Britain to “start soon, the Colonial Legacy review in Nigeria because it is so important to us.”

While approaching efforts being made by His Majesty to review Colonial Legacies, the descendants said in hearing the King’s move to review it, “our Joy knew no bounds, and this feeling of great Joy increased more abundantly when we saw that indeed he was already doing this.”

“We watched with great happiness and excitement, The King presenting replacement World War II Medals in Kenya to the Veterans of The Second World War.

“We hope the King will also take action soon in actualising and fulfilling our dreams that both the British and the Nigerian government meet our demands that our father’s entitlements and work benefits be paid to we his direct descendants. It is also our prayer that the King empowers and supports us in our quests and in the present circumstances that we are in right now, your quick help is highly solicited.

“Our father Ededuna Walter Obaseki was a captain of the British Merchant Navy, a World War II Veteran and a recipient of The World War II Campaigns and Gallantry Medals of Honour. The 1939-1945; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; British War Medals were
Awarded to our father Ededuna Walter Obaseki and other officers and Seamen of the British Merchant Navy by HRM King George VI.

“Obaseki was a pioneer industrialist, governor, prime minister and head of government, and he handled the British administration in Southern Nigeria that brought great success to Nigeria in many areas like modern agriculture, education, healthcare, and maritime Shipping. The forming, shaping and developing of the navies during the time of the boom that both countries enjoyed and its citizens can still speak well of in sheer glories of remarkable advancement today.

“We are aware of some attempts by the Federal Government of Nigeria particularly in 2014 to help bring out and make known, the legacies of those that played active and very important roles in making this country Nigeria to be great, especially the Merchant Navy Officers who were the first ambassadors, head of administration and head of the British Board of Trade that brought about very positive growth and boom in Nigeria through the exports of timber, rubber, cocoa and palm produce, etc.

“We also want the distinguished senators and honourable members of the House of Representatives of Nigeria to grant our request that our father’s entitlements and work benefits for service in Nigeria to be paid to us by the Nigerian government. We need them (The Law Makers) to use their voice to also make our demands from The British Government.”