Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has described the lack of adequate cancer treatment facilities in the state as unacceptable, particularly for communities affected by decades of oil pollution.
Diri spoke on Friday at the inauguration of an 18-member steering committee saddled with establishing the Bayelsa Cancer Treatment and Research Centre in Yenagoa.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Peter Akpe, said the rising incidence of cancer in the state had made the proposed centre necessary.
He identified breast, cervical and prostate cancers as some of the major concerns, noting that many residents were forced to travel outside the state to obtain treatment.
“Cancer is no longer a distant disease in our communities. Almost every family in this hall has a story: a mother diagnosed too late; a brother who travelled to Lagos, Abuja or abroad and spent everything they owned on treatment,” Diri said.
He added, “Breast, cervical and prostate cancers in particular are taking our people in their most productive years. Too many of these deaths are not because the disease cannot be treated, but because treatment was too far away, too expensive, or came too late.”
The governor further linked the health concerns in the state to the effects of prolonged oil pollution, citing the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission Report of 2023.
“In Bayelsa, we carry an additional burden. Decades of oil pollution have left their mark on our land, our water, and we fear, on the health of our people,” he said.
Diri stressed that residents should not continue to bear the environmental and health consequences associated with oil-producing activities without access to adequate healthcare.
“We will not accept a situation where our communities bear the cost of the nation’s wealth and are then left without the care they need. Therefore, a cancer treatment centre in Bayelsa State is not a luxury; it is a matter of health justice,” he stated.
The governor charged the committee to assess the scale of cancer in the state and recommend an appropriate location for the facility.
He also tasked the members with developing recommendations on equipment, infrastructure, funding, partnerships, staffing, training, maintenance, accessibility, and the regular supply of medicines and other medical consumables.
The committee is chaired by the state Commissioner for Health, Prof Seiyefa Brisibe.
Speaking on behalf of the members, Brisibe thanked the governor for entrusting them with the responsibility of working towards the establishment of what he described as a world-class cancer treatment centre.
He said the cancer burden in Bayelsa had created significant financial, physical and emotional pressure on families who often travelled outside the state or country for care.
“The burden of cancer on communities is a reality that we can no longer afford to manage with half measures,” Brisibe said.
He added, “Families in Bayelsa endure the excruciating financial, physical and emotional toll of travelling outside the state and often outside the country, just to access basic diagnostic and therapeutic cancer care. This will end with the mandate for the work we are about to begin.”
Members of the steering committee include Dr Jones Stow, Prof Jumbo Johnbull, Dr Boboye Ifie, Dr Oluwadare Marcus, Dr James Omietimi, Dr Ebikapaye Okoyen, Dr Ngowari Torunana, Mrs Beatrice Olomiete, Hon Kingsley Kuku, Dr Ibimonye Porbeni and Mr Nimifagha Esindu.
Others are Prof Kelvin Kiridi, Dr Timipa Peregha-West, Magdalene Alabinte, Prof Beleudanyo Fente, Dr Elizabeth Obiorah and Dr Embeleakpo Apere.
