GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says the Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in the state will reduce medical tourism and deaths.

He said the facility was conceived to save the life of Rivers people and other Nigerians.

The governor said it was sad to see many people dying because they did not know that they had cancer or heart-related diseases, and could not also afford the cost of going abroad to seek adequate medical attention.

Wike gave the explanation on Tuesday shortly after inspecting the progress of work done at the health facility in Rumuokwuta Town and the sand-filled area located in Ogbum-nu-abali Town.

These were contained in a statement by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, titled ‘Rivers Cancer, Cardiovascular Centre will reduce related death cases in Nigeria – Gov Wike’ and made available to newsmen.

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The governor said, “Most of our people have died as a result of heart diseases, not being able to diagnose it on time. And you ask yourself; how many people have money to travel overseas?

“Even by the time it’s diagnosed, having the money to travel overseas becomes a problem,” the statement reads.

According to him, with such health facility in Rivers State, those suspecting they have cancer or heart-related diseases can diagnose it on time.

Wike noted that experts in such field would also be attracted to the centre to support the staff strength to offer the best medical attention to Rivers people and Nigerians.

Wike further said, “For example, see the facility that we have at the Government House Clinic today. That has reduced the level of people travelling overseas. Look at me; I’ve not traveled since 2019 because we have the best equipment that will be able to take care of whatever that is diagnosed.”