The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, has reiterated the U.S.  commitment to improve public health delivery in Nigeria.

Ms Leonard made her comments while delivering remarks at a reception organised to honour stakeholders working to improve cancer healthcare in Nigeria.

“Investment in lifesaving cancer diagnostic and treatment machines will improve outcomes for Nigerians,” Ambassador Leonard said.

“Additionally, this investment at home will reduce instances of medical tourism and increase the capacities for medical service providers,” she added.

The ambassador particularly commended Varian, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority-Lagos University Cancer Centre and the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre.

According to her, both the NLCC and MRCC were working for the public’s health by their investments in cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities.

She explained that the investments in cancer care will reduce medical tourism and further strengthen the capacity of medical service providers.

On his part, Varian’s Head of Government Affairs and Market Development for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Kevin Massoudi, lamented Nigeria’s lack of access to adequate facilities for cancer treatment, adding that cancer incidence and cancer-related deaths could almost double in the country by 2040.

He noted that the investment in cancer diagnoses and treatment facilities and other medical technologies were critical to fighting against cancer in Nigeria.

“Medical technology to save lives exists. We need to ensure that those in greatest need obtain access. Where we live should not determine if we live.”