Over 1,000 Rivers Residents Get Free Cancer Screening

Over 1,000 individuals have benefited from a free cancer screening exercise at the Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Centre (POCCC), in Port Harcourt, as the Rivers State government marked the 2026 World Cancer Day.

This comes as the State Ministry of Health also embarked on a sensitisation walk in commemoration of the day to inform the public of the existence of the hospital, and the need to get early screening and detection.

It would be recalled that the 65-bed state-of-the-art hospital was initiated by the government of Chief Nyesom Wike and was completed last September under the present administration of Sir Siminilayi Fubara.

Speaking with journalists during the sensitisation and free screening exercise yesterday, the permanent secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Prof Justina Jumbo, emphasised that cancer is a chronic disease that can be treated if detected early.

Jumbo said apart from cancer, the centre also offer cardiovascular treatment services.

“We know that cancer is a chronic disease that affects all humans irrespective of their age, their sex, and their race.  It affects everybody and it’s due to when certain cells decide to multiply on uncontrollable level.  It could occur in any part of the body and it’s a deadly disease and the state government have thought it wise to establish this center,” she said.

The permanent secretary stated that the centre will save patients the cost of overseas medical tourism and treatment.

Jumbo said, “Before now we used to travel to other states and outside the country for diagnosis and for treatment but now we have the center here.

“So we want to sensitize and create the awareness so that people will now start patronizing. We are appealing to the entire public to make use of this opportunity that is right here in our states and get screened.”

Also, the chief executive officer of the hospital, Mr Tony Rahme, stated that the hospital, which has been altered to provide treatment for all classe of people in society, handles cases of cancer, oncology surgery and kidney transplant.

Rahme said, “We are assuring that we are serving the community in the best way by offering free screening to the community and doing a work to fight cancer all together.

“It’s a 65 total bed space based on three main pillars; oncology and advanced oncology surgery, cardiovascular including cardio surgery and kidney transplant and nephrology.”

He pointed out that no fewer than 700 persons have come for the free screening exercise, adding that the state government would subsidise for those who are not able to pay for their treatments.

The chief executive officer said, “We have a segment that represents the majority of the society. We will put all our services in offering to them, so we can be affordable price for all segments of the society and we will work to implement it,” he stated