Lagos Assembly has proposed the creation of cancer institute at the State and related facilities at all Local Governments in a bid to prevent, control and eradicate cancer.
Chairman Committee on Health, Hon. Olusegun Olulade made this known during the public hearing held in the Assembly premises on a bill for a law to establish the Lagos State cancer institute, to provide for the promotion, aid and coordination of researches relating to cancer related illness and for connected purposes.
According to him, the objective of the Institute is to provide affordable and subsidized medical care for cancer patient; to carryout research in terminal diseases especially cancer related diseases, carryout extensive diagnosis so also provide current advanced and latest technological diagnostic instruments
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun, who represented the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa (the sponsor of the bill) expressed that Lagos Assembly could not afford to muddle this up with unprofessional suggestions. He appealed to the stakeholders to make meaningful contributions adding that “we know if cancer is detected early it can be controlled “.
Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, the majority leader, treated the overview of the bill highlighted that the bill if passed into law will provide medical assistance to cancer patients that cannot afford the cost of treatment in the State; ensure that cancer patients are fairly treated and provided for, provide palliative supports for cancer patients, the terminal illness local center shall transfer or refer cases that needs referral to the institute.
He further explained that patients admitted or being treated by the institute at the local centers shall have the payments for their treatment and drugs subsidized by the institute, the identity of any person contained in a report of or data collected for other research studies shall not be disclosed except the government sponsored research projects for the purpose of scientific studies and research.
The former deputy leader who is a doctor Hon. Dr. Ajibayo Adeyeye expressed that it was going to be an expensive venture and opined that the institute should be made part of an existing teaching hospital adding that establishing a separate one will place a burden on the State’s lean health purse.
The Chief Medical Director of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Mr. Oke who read out the position of Teaching hospitals called the attention of the house on who will manage the Local Government facilities, full or part time, focus on a cancer institute instead of terminal diseases, source of fund should be explicitly stated and concluded that Ministry of Health and Private health practitioners should be involved to further treat the bill.
A Commissioner in the Health Service Commission Mrs. Kemi Ogunyemi contributed that Council registry to monitor trends should be provided for and emphasis should also be laid on early detection and treatment.
A colon cancer survivor, Mr. Adegboyega Adepitan opined that a press man should be included in the governing council for public enlightenment. He also enjoined the board to publicize the symptoms of cancer.
In response to their opinions, Hon. Olulade Stated that “ having listen to your comments and criticism, necessary things will be done about it and I assure you and members of the public that we are ready to have a best institute to eradicate cancer.”
He implored the stakeholders’ to submit their memorandum on or before Friday 28th September, 2016.
