pannigeriannews 
The President of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Professor Abidemi Omonisi, has appealed to the Federal Government to increase the budget of the Nigerian Cancer Health Fund (NCHF) for 2025.
Professor Omonisi stated this on Friday while featuring on a programme focused on cancer NTA titled “Bridges” as monitored by Pannigeriannews.com.
While decring that the total of N160m budgeted for in the 2025 would go no way in ameliorating the cancer care in Nigeria, Omonisi called on the FG to jerk the budget to N1bn.
“I will like to advise the Federal Government to increase the budget if the Nigerian Cancer Health Fund to N1bn. I still want to appeal to the state and local governments. They should show more commitment in fighting cancer in their states and areas. This will help contain the disease,” Omonaija said.
He allayed the fear in some quarters that cancer is a death sentence but decried that some people patients prefer going to mountain for prayers to using medical facilities.
He stated, “Cancer is not a death sentence if discovered early.
“You know we are a contrary where people are too over-reoigous. Some women will have lump on their breasts and instead of going to hospital, they go to mountain for prayers.
“By the time they finish prayers and try to come to the hospital, the tumour would have advanced. We need to present ourselves early and that is why any opportunity for cancer screening, particularly for people who are fifty and above, they should make themselves available for cancer screening.
“This is because if discovered early, the tumour can be removed. We have competent surgeons and oncologists that can address.
“But if the tumour is discovered at advanced stage and they take the patients to Harvard, there is nothing they can do. It is sad that our cancer cases are always at advanced stage.”
He said the shortage of fund allocated to the society has further encouraged patients and some others to take to mountains, instead of going to the hospital.
