The Nigerian Air Force has established a cancer screening center at the 105 Composite Group in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The centre which is the first of its kind in the state was commissioned by the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), who urged residents to take advantage of the centre through regular visits for early diagnosis.
“Cancer is one of the greatest risks in today’s context, and the sooner people are able to detect this disease which can be tackled in the early stages of diagnosis, I think the better it’ll be for everybody.
“What we need to do now is to begin to make the entire people of Borno State and beyond understand the need for them to come and screen themselves,” he said.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, explained that the establishment of the centre was borne out of the desire to alleviate the health challenges of personnel and their families, as well as members of the host community.
“Cancer is responsible for every one in six deaths and also the second leading cause of deaths globally, killing 8.8 million people every year while another 14 million people come down with the disease every year,” he lamented.
The screening center has been stocked with hi-tech equipment for immediate commencement of operations, as the Air Force currently runs two full-fledged emergency hospitals at the Internally Displaced Persons’ camps in Bama and Dalori.
The commissioning of the screening centre was also witnessed by the Borno State Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa, and other top government officials.