The NNPCL/Renaissance Joint Venture (JV) partner has donated $300,000 to the National Hospital, Abuja, to sustain the maintenance of its advanced cancer treatment machine.
The Coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which announced the donation, said that it would support the continuous operation of the Linear Accelerator Radiotherapy Machine, one of the most sophisticated cancer-treatment systems available in the country.
The JV had donated the machine in 2019 under a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility package, which encompassed enhancement of the entire ecosystem around cancer treatment, provision and installation of necessary data and ancillary systems, and upskilling of healthcare professionals to operate the sophisticated machinery.
The statement by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Andy Odeh, on Thursday, said that the contribution became necessary to prevent treatment disruptions caused by funding gaps in the machine’s maintenance.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Oluwaseyi Omotowa, revealed that the LINAC machine has already transformed cancer care at the hospital.
He listed the benefits to include treatment of over 2,000 patients, an 80 per cent reduction in treatment costs, and a sharp cut in therapy time from 12 minutes to just 2 minutes.
A total of 712 indigent patients have also received subsidised care ranging from 25 to 100 per cent.
Omotowa, represented by the Head of Business Services at NNPC-NUIMS, Nkechi Anaedobe, said that sustained maintenance was essential to keep the machine operating at full capacity.
“Some of the benefits of the intervention include: treatment of over 2,000 patients, reduction of treatment cost by 80 per cent, reduction of therapy session time from 12 minutes to 2 minutes, subsidised care for indigent patients, with 712 of them receiving care at discounted rates ranging from 25 per cent to 100 per cent.
“The sustainability of such advanced medical technology hinges on regular maintenance, which presents a critical challenge due to funding constraints,” he said.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, praised the donation, describing it as a model corporate intervention that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed focus on health sector investment.
“This aligns perfectly with the broader efforts to revamp critical infrastructure aimed at improving the quality of healthcare for our people. Your track record is truly commendable, and this gesture underscores the intentionality behind driving impactful change. Quality healthcare comes at a cost, and with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed focus on health sector investment, partnerships like this from forward-thinking private actors significantly strengthen the cause,” Pate said.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Muhammad Raji Mahmud, said the support had significantly strengthened local capacity for cancer treatment and reduced reliance on medical tourism. “We treat thousands of patients annually, and this support has been profound. It is a lifeline of hope for those who depend on our services,” he stated.
Managing Director of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Tony Attah, said the company views the funding not as charity but as a long-term investment in national wellbeing. “This is a strategic investment in the resilience of our health systems and the well-being of Nigerians. When people are healthy, they can contribute meaningfully to society,” Attah said.
GIK/APA