Africa-Press – Ethiopia. April 19/2021(ENA) The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) today commissioned the construction of the 500 million USD Regional Cancer Center of Excellence that will be built in Addis Ababa.
The landmark ceremony for the construction of regional cancer center took place in the presence of Ethiopian Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse, Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa Adanech Abebie and other dignitaries.
IGAD Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, used the occasion to highlight the significance of the cancer center to giving hope for citizens suffering from cancer in the region.
“This cancer center manifests our commitment to cooperate and collaborate to take cancer care closer to our communities,” he said.
He added that the center will serve to drive IGAD’s regional integration agendas through health provision locally.
Workneh noted “we hope that the science and technology driven center will be able to make meaningful contributions to the realization of IGAD region’s goal to become a regional leader in provision of world-class health care for cancer patients.”
Upon completion, the center will provide world-class quality cancer care services including diagnosis, treatment and research.
Health Minister, Lia Tadesse said on her part that the center will have paramount importance as cancer among the non-communicable diseases is becoming global health crisis, particularly in developing countries.
The government of Ethiopia has given due emphasis to improved health care service delivery, Lia said, adding that the center will undoubtedly bring tangible change in significantly reducing the deaths caused by cancer.
Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababay, Adanech Abebie said donation of 200,000 meter square strategic land for free, demonstrates our firm commitment towards providing better health services.
Addis Ababa is amongst the global diplomatic hub, she said, and added a lot of work is yet left to be done to fulfill the health services required by the diplomatic communities residing in the capital.
The Deputy Mayor reaffirmed her administration’s readiness to provide the necessary support towards realizing the completion of the center.
