Prostate Cancer: N’Assembly Urged to Enact Laws Covering Free Treatment for the Aged

Former Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Professor Sulyman Kuranga, has called on the National Assembly to enact laws that would allow the aged in Nigeria to access free medical treatment for prostatic disease.

He said in developed nations, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United State of America, when one attains the age of 60, transport and medical services are obtained free of charge, adding that the aged were put into consideration when laws are being formulated. Kuranga, who is also a Professor of Urology stated this while delivering the 180th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin.

Describing prostate cancer as an epidemic in waiting he said: “

Government should create Ministry of the Aged or better still Ministry of Men Affairs and provide special policies that will bring relief to the aged, especially as it relates to age-related diseases like prostate cancer and BPH.

“There should be improvements in the financing of tertiary health institutions so that up-to-date equipment can be purchased and relevant training provided. This will reduce medical tourism abroad.”

While advocating for more government investment in prostatic healthcare development and research in the country, the don disclosed that the disease is one of the leading causes of death among males worldwide and it can be cured with early detection and prompt access to good medical facilities.