Stakeholders from across the Nine States of the Niger Delta region are calling on the State Governments and Regional Intervention Agencies to provide emergency funding for more technologically advanced approach for the treatment of thousands of dying patients from cancer, stroke, diabetes and diabetic ulcer wounds across the region.
The Stakeholder, made up of scientists, medical professionals and Traditional Rulers, unanimously stated that according to several studies conducted, the drastically increasing prevalence of cancers and other chronic diseases across the region may be associated with increasing exposure to toxic substances arising from the oil and gas exploration and production activities within the region.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, Dr. Tare Solomon called on the State Governments and the Regional Intervention Agencies to set aside intervention funds to assist citizens battling these life threatening diseases across the region.
According to him, it is increasingly worrisome that the death rate across the region is worsening.
Dr. Tare Solomon, while speaking on behalf of the scientists, medical professionals and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State noted that clinicians are overwhelmed with the thousands of patients suffering from chronic diseases and other life threatening conditions and called on the government agencies to assist in easing the financial burden on thousands of patients and their families.
Dr. Solomon stated that a cancer diagnosis does not only affect the patient but it affects the entire family, increase absenteeism and reduces productivity in the workplace; thus reducing government revenues.