First Ladies Donate N10m to UCH Cancer Patients in Oyo

The wife of Oyo State Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Tamunominini Makinde yesterday  hosted the coalition of former and current first ladies in Nigeria, under the aegis of First Lady Against Cancer (FLAC) in Ibadan.

FLAC chairman and former frst Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, led other members, including wife of former Governor of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi; wife of former governor of Ogun State governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun; representative of wife of former Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, and representative of wife of former Kwara State Governor, among others, to the Office of Oyo State First Lady.

The first ladies were in the state to assess the plight of cancer patients and render support to them.

Mrs. Makinde, in her address, thanked members of FLAC for considering the state for the support, assuring them that whatever donations they made would be put to effective use.

She lamented that cancer had become a deadly disease, saying all hands must be on deck to get rid of it.

She urged Nigerians, particularly women, to get vaccinated against cancer, and to always go for routine cancer check to nip it in the bud.

“As we all know that October is cancer awareness month, let’s pay attention to our health, let’s be vaccinated and do the needful to get rid of cancer,” she said.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the management of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, FLAC chairman, Mrs. Zainab Shinkaffi Bagudu, said the purpose of the coalition was to increase awareness and advocacy on cancer and render necessary assistance to patients.

She stated that the choice of cancer patients at UCH was deliberate considering the status of the hospital in delivering adequate healthcare to Nigerians.

She announced the donation of the sum of N10million in support of cancer patients in the hospital.

In his remark, UCH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, commended the gesture of FLAC, saying government alone could not provide all the needs of the hospital.

He noted that the effort of FLAC was commendable considering the choice of UCH for the collaboration.

“I sincerely appreciate the commitment of the FLAC towards supporting our cancer patients in the hospital as well as your advocacy for improved access to cancer care services. This effort will remain indelible in the minds of those who will benefit from your kind gestures. It will also be a great relief to the hospital,” Otegbayo said.

He added that the donation would reduce the burden on the Internally Generated Revenue of the hospital, currently being overstretched.

“We want to appreciate the support of the Federal Government in making our systems grow, and we appeal to you, the First Ladies (former and present) to use your good offices to solicit for assistance for the hospital. You can endow wards and projects, and such will be named after you, and it becomes a legacy you will be proud of,” he said.