Member, House of Reps advocates for creation of special agency for treatment of cancer diseases

The member representing Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency, Bauchi state, Hon. Hashima Adamu Ranga, has advocated for special agency to handle cases relating to cancer diseases.

Hon. Ranga, who spoke to The Recorder on the sideline of the launch for cancer treatment equipment in Abuja on Friday – where he was awarded for his contributions towards fight against cancer – said it is only by creating a special agency for the disease that its menace will be reduced.

Allowing it to be housed in a ministry as it is now will slow down the campaign against the disease. He reasoned that giving cancer a special recognition will help in mitigating the effect, especially early detection which will make it easier to treat.

He said: “Specifically, if the federal government will make cancer to have a special agency, where there will be staff, have their intervention separately, and funding, cancer will be tackled squarely and effectively in the country. As it is now, under a ministry, we have a long way to go in the battle against cancer.”

Hon. Ranga, who is a member of HIV committee in the House of Representatives, and former heath worker before venturing into politics, lamented that despite billions of naira voted for health every year, there is nothing to show for it, and this ostensibly affects the fight against cancer.

He said but for pervasive corruption in the country not much is realised in the campaign and mobilisation against cancer treatment.

He said equipment for treatment of the disease is still a far cry from what it ought to be in the nation’s hospitals, saying the country has enough money to equip hospitals but because of “pervasive corruption” this is not so.

He maintained corruption hinders the fight against cancer, through inadequate facilities in hospitals, otherwise people should not die because of cancer. He pleaded with national and international organisations, corporate bodies and wealthy individuals to join in the fight by donating facilities for early detection and treatment.

He called for massive mobilisation through Mosques, Churches, market places and every gathering to create awareness of the prevalence of cancer. “When you are acquainted and aware of cancer, its prevalence will be reduced. If you know the disease, you will know how to manage it. You know, there are some conditions associated with it which make cancer to thrive.”

On HIV treatment and spread, the federal lawmaker noted from available records, the spread is on the decline. He said this came about because of grants from international donors which are been deployed in the areas of mobilisation, treatment of cases, follow ups, and engagements with stakeholders.

However, he advised Nigerians not to lower their guard because of decline in new cases as HIV is still real.