Connect with us

General News

West Africa Gets Innovative Cancer Care Facility

Published

on

(L-R): Dr. Wale Alabi, CEO Global Health & Projects; Moses Braimah, Communication Strategist; Joshua K. Tetteh, SGMC CEO; Korkor Agboka, SGMC PR/Marketing Director; Dr. Clement Edusa, SGMC Radiation Oncologist at the Accra based Sweden Ghana Medical Centre press briefing on the establishment of a state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility in West Africa.
Kindly share this post

In a bid to ease access to the management and treatment of cancer in the West African subregion, a group of Swedish and Ghanaian investors has established and run a world class innovative cancer care facility in Accra, Ghana.

The facility known as the Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre (SGMC) has come in time to help solve the regions need for private oncology services. Speaking on this initiative, Joshua Tetteh, CEO of SGMC said, “to run an infrastructure like cancer centre, you need 24 hours power supply, an enabling environment, the atomic energy permission and other support structures because cancer treatment requires a lot of efforts and logistics”.

Statistics show that most cancer patients from Nigeria and other countries in the region go toIndia, Egypt and Turkey.

A minumum of 500 to 1,000 patients leave for India every month and that translates  to about $2 million every month just to India.

“SGMC is well equipped with a modern 3-D planning system. Our cancer care involves Linear Accelerator, medical oncology with out-patient chemotherapy suite and diagnostic services. We have medical experts from Nigeria, Ghana, Sweden, Britain and Australia. ” said Tetteh.

The strategic location of Accra ensures easy access to SGMC. It to is about an hour from Lagos by air to Accra and there is no visa restriction. Investigations have also revealed that the facility pricing is very competitive compared to others in order parts of the world.

Dr. Clement Edusa, medical oncologist SGMC revealed that in the last two years they have handled over 1,004 patients most of which are palliative cases. “We get a lot of late cases which cannot be cured but just managed to reduce the pain. 7 out of 10 are late. We need early cases which can be cured.”

Edusa called for increase awareness and early diagnosis in order to detect the cancerous cells quickly. He also revealed that SGMC patients outside Ghana are mostly from Burkina Faso, Togo, Sierra leone and Nigeria.

“In order to reduce cost of treatment, the governments of Burkin Faso and Togo have reached an agreement with us to support their citizens using our facility. We also run a micro-insurance programme that enables the 185,000 members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) send any of their members plus one family member or relative with such ailment for free treatment”. Available records showed that about 95 of the teachers have benefited from the scheme in the past nine months.

How the scheme works
GNAT pays Sweden-Ghana Cancer Foundation a lump of about $34,000 every month for the first one year to cover all members, while each member pays about 34 cents every month. Though treatment is totally free from all types of cancer diagnosis are to be paid for by individuals at a highly discounted rate.

Jens Engelson, SGMC medical director/consultant in Radiation Oncology says, “Nigerians can train at our facility by writing through the medical instituitions where they work”.

Engelson beleives that apart from our life style which has changed in the last few years, one of the major upsurge in cancer diseases is increased awareness which has also made more people to be diagnosed of cancer. He also faulted most of the statistics been bandied around as been inacurate.

“Most of these cases are already there, we just did not have a proper system in place were these case are captured and reported. Also, the level of awareness and diagnosis have improved tremendously in the last few years.”

SGMC also provide care for general medical issues.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

General News

NDIC Reinforces Full Oversight Compliance to Safeguard Depositors

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Mr. Thompson Sunday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has reaffirmed the Corporation’s strict compliance with fiscal and financial regulations, including the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, noting that the NDIC has consistently remitted the required percentage of its earnings to the Federal Government.

Mr. Sunday made this known during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang, as part of NDIC’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders following his formal assumption of office in July 2025.

According to him, NDIC takes financial accountability and transparency seriously, stressing that the Corporation complies fully with statutory remittance obligations, including the payment of 20 per cent of gross earnings or 80 per cent of net surplus to the Federal Government, as applicable. He added that NDIC also submits its financial statements ahead of statutory deadlines.

The NDIC MD/CE explained that this culture of compliance aligns with the Corporation’s role as a key institution within Nigeria’s financial safety-net, charged with protecting depositors and promoting confidence in the banking system. He emphasized that adherence to fiscal discipline remains central to NDIC’s credibility and effectiveness.

Mr. Sunday further disclosed that NDIC also complies with the Federal Government’s 50 per cent cost-to-income ratio policy, although he noted that the policy poses operational constraints. He explained that the deductions affect NDIC’s ability to build a strong Deposit Insurance Fund, which is needed to respond effectively to bank failures.

He stressed that international best practices under the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance issued by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) require deposit insurers to maintain adequate funds to reimburse depositors when banks fail without recourse to government, adding that the NDIC is seeking an exemption to strengthen its capacity in this regard.

Mr. Sunday described MOFI as a critical stakeholder, noting that the Federal Government, through MOFI, holds a 40 per cent equity stake in NDIC. He said sustained collaboration with MOFI is essential to ensuring that NDIC continues to meet its obligations to government while effectively safeguarding depositors’ funds.

In his remarks, Dr. Takang commended the NDIC for its exemplary collaborative spirit and acknowledged the Corporation’s compliance with fiscal regulations. He assured that MOFI would continue to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on NDIC’s behalf, noting that a strong NDIC is vital to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, transparency and accountability, with Mr. Sunday reiterating that NDIC remains focused on balancing regulatory compliance with its overriding mandate of depositor protection and financial system stability.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

T2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament

Published

on

Kindly share this post

T2 has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and excellence through sport as the NCBC basketball team, adopted by the brand, emerged champions of the Bosun Tijani Foundation Youth Basketball Tournament held at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

The tournament, organised by the Bosun Tijani Foundation in collaboration with the Ogun State Government and supported by several partners including T2, brought together 12 competitive teams from across Nigeria, positioning basketball as a powerful platform for youth engagement, discipline, and opportunity.

NCBC’s championship run reflected the values T2 seeks to champion, work ethic, intelligence, teamwork, and resilience. The team recorded commanding victories over Team Vision, Warlords, and Elevate before defeating the Ilupjeu Raiders 66–52 in a gripping final.

Commenting on the adoption of the team, Seni Ogunkola, Vice President, Brands and Communication, T2 stated “NCBC embodies the qualities we believe in, exceptional work rate, intelligence on the ball, discipline, and a hunger to excel. By supporting them, T2 is investing in potential, purpose, and the next generation of leaders on and off the court.”

The climax of the event saw His Royal Highness, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, present the trophy to the victorious team, drawing rapturous applause from spectators. The event was also attended by the Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Lere Olayinka, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, underscoring strong institutional support for youth-focused initiatives.

Through its participation in the tournament, T2 continues to position itself as a brand that goes beyond sponsorship, championing platforms that unlock talent, inspire ambition, and create lasting social impact for Nigerian youth.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Ecobank Nigeria, a member of Africa’s leading pan-African banking group, has assured customers of uninterrupted access to banking services throughout the year-end holiday period via its secure and robust digital platforms. The Bank also urged customers to remain vigilant against fraud and scams during the festive season.

Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

Ecobank Bank

Speaking on the development, Victor Yalokwu, Head, Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the Bank’s digital channels – including the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, OmniPlus, Omnilite, EcobankPay, RapidTransfer, Ecobank Cards, ATMs, PoS terminals, and over 35,000 Ecobank Xpress Point (Agent Banking) locations nationwide – will remain fully available to support customers throughout the yuletide and year-end holiday period.

He noted that customers will continue to enjoy a wide range of services during the period, including local and international funds transfers, bill payments and airtime top-ups, merchant payments, balance inquiries and account statements, as well as cardless cash withdrawals via ATMs.

According to Yalokwu, “Ecobank encourages customers to leverage these digital solutions for safe, fast, and efficient banking, especially during the festive season when convenience and reliability are essential.

“While physical branch operations may be subject to adjusted working hours in line with public holidays, customers can be assured that Ecobank’s digital platforms are designed to deliver uninterrupted service and enhanced security at all times.

“Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service, and we wish all our customers a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year.”

Yalokwu also cautioned customers to remain vigilant against fraudsters and scammers during the period. “Before you wrap up the year, tighten your security. December brings online sales, travel, and year-end distractions—this is exactly when scammers are most active. From fake festive deals to cloned merchant sites and suspicious messages, staying vigilant helps keep your money safe.”

He advised customers to shop only on trusted websites, never share their PINs, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs), avoid banking on public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages, and regularly review their account activity.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending