Yar’adua Cancer Centre, Singapore’s Group Sign MoU On Oncology Centre

The Incorporated Trustees of International Cancer Centre (ICC), operating as the International Cancer Centre Abuja (ICCA) and Singapore-based Innova Healthcare Nigeria Limited (Innova) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a comprehensive oncology centre.

The centre will be established at ICC’s existing facility on Airport Road, Abuja.

The initiative is expected to advance the founder’s vision of a nationwide cancer centre and build on ICC’s existing Abuja site, bringing the organisation closer to that vision of accessible cancer care for more Nigerians.

A statement issued by the communications manager, Arhyel Shadrach Ayuba, said under the partnership, ICCA would offer radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical oncology, diagnostics, laboratory services and palliative care under one roof, utilising ICC’s existing building rather than pursuing new construction.

Ayuba described the MoU as a significant step toward realising the founding fathers’ vision.

The MOU, he said, established the framework for collaboration between the two organisations.

The statement quoted the Director General of ICCA, Shehu Yar’Adua,  as saying, “When our founder first envisioned this centre, she dreamed of a Nigeria where no one would have to travel abroad or go without care altogether to survive a cancer diagnosis.

“This partnership with Innova brings us a meaningful step closer to that dream, not by starting from scratch, but by building on the foundation she laid.”

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Innova, Francis Shokoya, speaking at the signing ceremony, said that Innova intended to work with facilities like ICCA to ensure that cancer care is not just available but also affordable.

He is. “Before we reached the point of signing this MOU, we were motivated by the values and commitment ICCA’s founder brought to ensuring cancer care is available even to the most vulnerable populations in our country.”

The statement said that Nigeria faces a significant and growing cancer burden, with access to radiotherapy and specialist oncology services remaining limited relative to the size of its population, stressing that the partnership between PartnershipC and Innova was intended to help close that gap by expanding access to modern, comprehensive cancer care in the Federal Capital Territory.

“The collaboration is also expected to include training and capacity-building for Nigerian clinical and technical staff, alongside investment in equipment and infrastructure, Shokoya further said.

ICCA was founded in 2009 by Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua, wife of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, with a vision of a nationwide cancer centre that would give Nigerians access to world-class diagnosis and treatment.

Innova Healthcare Nigeria Ltd is a subsidiary of Innova Bio-Medical Pte Singapore, which specialises in timely, equitable and comprehensive cancer treatment.

It is a strategic force through Innova Bio-Medical Pte Singapore to Linatech, the manufacturer of the latest cancer treatment machine (Venus x), among others.