The wife of Kebbi State governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu, has donated N2 million for the treatment of cancer patients at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada.

Bagudu, who is the Founder of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, presented the cheque to Prof. Bissallah Ekele, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, on Sunday in Gwagwalada.

She explained that the donation is aimed at supporting people battling with cancer and cushion their hardship and that of survivors.

Bagudu, a medical doctor, called for the creation of strategic cancer intervention organisations across board for improved awareness and to scale up cancer treatment and prevention in the country.

She explained that her organisation, Kebbi state government and other relevant stakeholders were vigorously engaged in the fight against cancer by not only providing awareness but interventions to ensure treatment of those suffering the chronic disease.

“We believe that early detection and early treatment saves lives because some people get diagnosed on time but lack of funds hampers their survival chances.

“Painfully, the rising cost of cancer treatment and poverty has been a major impediment for several cancer patients to afford cancer treatment in Nigeria.

“Our efforts are not only on creating awareness but interventions to cancer patients and we will work vigorously to ensure success in the fight against cancer, through capacity building, workshops and seminars,” she said.

She, however, called on relevant stakeholders from different organisations to join hands with the traditional institutions in the fight against cancer in the country.

Earlier, Ekele thanked Mrs Bagudu for the donation and called on other well meaning Nigerians to emulate the kind gesture.

The CMD, who described the donation as a stimulus to other organisations in the fight against the dreaded disease, said the support would go a long way to put a smile on the faces of cancer patients.

Ekele therefore called on Nigerians to ensure regular screening for cancer-related symptoms for early detection, prevention and treatment.

He added that cancer deaths in Nigeria are very high, with four out of five cancer patients dying within five years of being diagnosed due to late presentation.

He however noted that late presentation of most cancer cases in the hospitals had remained the major challenge in the treatment and management of the disease in the country.