Dr. Zainab commends Gov. Bagudu  for unwaivering support to cancer control in Kebbi

Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, has commended her husband, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for laying the foundation that led to the attainment of quality health care services in the State.

She particularly, commended Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for giving the cancer control and treatment tremendous support in Kebbi State.

Dr. Zainab was speaking this Wednesday in a virtual address to audience at a stakeholders' meeting for the Cervical Cancer Screening Project held at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Birnin Kebbi.

She thanked Governor Atiku Bagudu for his moral and material support to the cancer control programme in the State by increasing number of women to be screened from five thousand to thirty-five thousand as well as establishing Kebbi indigent Cancer fund to cater for less privileged patients. In addition, the government has formulated a five year Kebbi development Cancer plan.

Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu explained that the meeting of the stakeholders was convened to bring together health workers on ground for better interaction on problems and solutions to cancer control.

On his part, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu was full of praises for his wife, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu for her medical role on cancer control and support to the Government towards the attainment of good health care delivery service in the State.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Babale Umar Yauri, the Governor informed the gathering that in recognition of the importance of the health sector, his administration has been unrelenting in safeguarding the health of the people.

Senator Atiku Bagudu added that the government was determined to sustaining the tempo on control and eliminating of Cervical Cancer, emphasising the need for early detection.

The governor spoke about the services rendered by the cancer unit at the Kebbi Medical Center Kalgo, as well as the Chemotherapy Center at Sir. Yahaya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi.

Furthermore, the State government has launched Kebbi Indigent Cancer Fund with more than thirty million naira under which three hundred and sixty patients have received free treatment and other services.

He also recalled that the Government as facilitated by Dr. Zainab through the Medicaid Cancer Foundation vaccinated girls against the virus in Yauri.

Senator Atiku Bagudu said the administration has mobilised professional personnel for the cancer control project as well as raised the number of people to enjoy free services from five thousand to thirty-five thousand in the ten cancer approved centers in the State.

In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Honourable Jaafar Muhammad said the meeting was aimed at coming together of respective health care providers to discuss achievements on cancer control. 

The Commissioner acknowledged that Kebbi State government has made tremendous efforts on cancer control in Nigeria, commending Governor Atiku Bagudu and his wife Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, for their commitment and support to the control project.

He mentioned the establishment of Chemotherapy Center at Kebbi Medical Center Kalgo, well equipped and manned by professionals.

Centers were also opened for oncology and radiology with State of the art equipment at Sir. Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi as well as other diagnosis centers.

The Commissioner thanked Governor Atiku Bagudu and his wife, Dr. Zainab, for their tremendous support towards universal health coverage of people.

Assistant Director Medical Services and State Cancer Desk Officer, Dr. Muhammad Jamilu, educated participants on overview of Cervical and breast cancer elimination project while Dr. Ishak Lawal spoke on cervical cancer elimination project.

Goodwill massages were delivered by representatives of the World Health Organisation, WHO, Clinton Health Active Initiative, CHAI, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, MCF, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Civil Societies Organisations, CSO, ROCHE as well as Johnson & Johnson.