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Special cancer centre, foundation open in Cross River, targets the poor

By Tina Agosi Todo, Calabar
10 October 2022   |   3:08 am
The centre, situated within Asi Ukpo Hospitals, is known as Asi Ukpo Comprehensive Cancer Centre. It also has Asi Ukpo Cancer Assistant Foundation put in place by the family of the late Brig

Son of the late General Anthony Ukpo, Yegwa (left); daughter, Marie-Therese Ukpo; widow, Mrs. Ukpo, Deputy Governor of Cross River, Prof. Ivara Esu and Senator Sandy Onor during the launch of the Asi Ukpo Cancer Centre in Calabar. PHOTO: TINA AGOSI TODO

A special centre for the treatment of cancer patients has opened in Calabar, Cross River State.

The centre, situated within Asi Ukpo Hospitals, is known as Asi Ukpo Comprehensive Cancer Centre. It also has Asi Ukpo Cancer Assistant Foundation put in place by the family of the late Brig. Gen. Anthony Asi Ukpo for raising funds to facilitate the treatment of financially-challenged cancer patients. 

Speaking at the inauguration, the Executive Director of the hospital, Mr. Yegwa Ukpo, said his late father came up with the idea and vision,

He said: “When my father was setting up this centre, one of the things that came up was how an average Nigerian can afford treatment at the centre. It is one thing to be diagnosed with cancer and it is another thing to be able to pay for treatment. My father, in his foresight, said we should add a sister organisation to the centre, something not-for-profit that will enable people to access the cancer centre. That is why I am here to talk to you about the Foundation.

“The entire vision is to allow cancer patients to have access to treatment. This is something that he had set up a board for. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to launch it. We are opening the cancer centre and it would be a great opportunity to launch this noble foundation. This is a fundraiser and we are hoping that with this seed, we will be able to give treatment to quite a number of patients, who have actually come to our centre and have not been able to pay for treatment.” 

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Gbenga Kajogbola, said his late boss was so passionate about the project that even while sick, he demanded to be pushed around in a wheelchair to inspect the work.

The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu described the late former military governor of Rivers State as a man of vision, whose love for his people gave birth to such great vision.

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