By Chioma Umeha
In support of initiatives that are aimed at eradicating
cancer in Nigeria, GE (NYSE: GE), the premier digital industrial company, has
donated $75,000 to Run For A Cure Africa (RFCA) Nigeria, a non-profit
organisation.
The donation which was made as part of GE’s Corporate Social
Responsibility initiative will help to expand and improve RFAC’s early cancer
detection initiatives and reduce cancer mortality rates in Nigeria.
The donation will go towards the opening and equipping of a
Women’s Cancer Diagnostic Center that will cater to women living in Nigeria.
The center will be equipped with a multipurpose ultrasound imaging system that
will be used for cancer screening as well as diagnostic services at the RFCA
Women’s Cancer Diagnostic Center.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Executive Director
RFCA Nigeria, Mrs. Ebele Mbanugo expressed the organization’s gratitude to GE.
She stated that “As a result of this donation, RFCA Nigeria will be able to
offer cancer screening and diagnostic services to women through the Women’s
Cancer Diagnostic Centre, regardless of their ability to pay. We will be able
to conduct several cancer awareness outreaches. This is very important because
75 per cent of breast cancer cases in Nigeria are discovered in the last stage,
at which time not much can be done.
However, if potential cancers are detected early, the
probability of survival is usually above 90 per cent. This means many lives
would be saved with the implementation of these initiatives that are supported
by GE,” she added.
According to statistics released by the World Health
Organisation (WHO) in 2017, there are over 8.8-million cancer deaths recorded
globally every year, and more than 100,000 of these are recorded in Nigeria.
The report also shows that most cancer cases end up as fatalities because of
late detection and treatment.
“This donation represents GE’s commitment to contributing
its quota to the development of Nigeria’s healthcare system, especially in the
areas of prevention and treatment of cancer” said President & Chief
Executive Officer, GE Nigeria, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo. “We are honored to
collaborate with Run For A Cure Africa and look forward to a significant
reduction in cancer mortality rates as well as seeing these projects fully
implemented to the benefit of Nigerians,” he further added.
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