The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has urged the National Assembly, NASS, to enact a law that will curb the spread of cancer in the country.
The president of the association, Dr Francis Faduyile, made the call during an advocacy visit to the Chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services, Mr. Yusuf Sununu, in Abuja on Tuesday.
The visit was in commemoration of the 2020 World Cancer Day with the theme “I am and I will for cancer day”.
He pleaded with the National Assembly to pursue a bill that would allow men and women affected by cancer to enjoy some benefits.
He said that the national policy would avail cancer patients treatment in the National Health Act, adding that it would also help in ensuring modern diagnosis of cancer.
The NMA president said that most of the cancer problems in the country were as a result of late diagnosis, noting, however, that most viable equipment for diagnosis were not available in the country.
He called on the National Assembly to include cancer treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, stating that cancer care remained expensive in the country.
He, however, lauded the National Assembly for initiating the bill on health service delivery, saying that the current National Assembly had so many great bills on health service delivery to its credit.
Sanunu noted that the concern raised by the NMA leadership on cancer was genuine, stressing that the National Assembly would confront the challenges through appropriate laws.
Going down memory lane, Sanunu said he was a victim of cancer as he lost his father to the dreaded disease.
He said “I know how extensive it is and it is something that needs serious attention.”
He called on stakeholders to come up with solutions that would help to tackle the scourge, noting that preventive measures would help to address the menace.
He said that a bill had been presented for the registration of cancer care centre in the country and urged NMA to partner with the National Assembly to ensure the passage of the bill.
Source: NAN
