By Chioma Obinna

Cancer care delivery at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Lagos, received a major boost on Monday as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided critical medical equipment to strengthen cancer diagnosis, treatment and patient care at the hospital’s newly established Cancer Centre.
The donation includes LEEP machines, ultrasound machines, thermal ablation equipment, defibrillators and crash carts, biomedical safety cabinets, medical refrigerators, colposcopes, chemotherapy chairs, hospital beds, infusion pumps, drip stands and vital signs monitors.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran of the Africa West Area Presidency of the Church said the intervention was inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ and the need to care for vulnerable people.

“The motivation is following the teaching of Jesus Christ who we try to exemplify as our Saviour and as true disciples we need to be Christ-like in what we do. The motivation is to care for our neighbours,” Ojediran said.

He explained that the equipment would improve early cancer detection, especially cervical cancer, while enhancing treatment outcomes and reducing the financial burden on patients and families.

“With equipment such as ultrasound machines, colposcopes and LEEP technology, healthcare professionals can diagnose cancer at earlier stages. Early detection greatly improves survival rates and reduces long-term treatment costs,” he stated.

Ojediran added that the Church deliberately avoided placing monetary value on the donation.
“No amount of money can equate to the value of life. It is not about the money. If we start saying amount, it will take attention off the real essence of why this must be done,” he said.

Responding, the Medical Director of FMC Ebute-Metta, Dr. Saheed Ogunme, described the donation as timely and significant amid rising healthcare costs and the country’s dependence on imported medical equipment.

“We are committed to providing world-class healthcare services to our numerous patients and clients. The challenge of cancer confronting our country is enormous, and we are convinced that our strategic partnership with the Church will help us confront this challenge with more resilience,” Ogunme said.

According to him, the donation comprises 17 categories of medical equipment and 93 items aimed at strengthening prevention, diagnosis, treatment and inpatient care for cancer patients.

“The medical equipment donated today, including chemotherapy chairs, infusion pumps, colposcopes and hospital beds, has given renewed hope to countless patients and their families who will depend on these services now and in years ahead,” he said.

He added that the equipment would significantly improve the hospital’s capacity to provide timely, safe and quality healthcare services.

“This equipment will enhance our preventive cancer services, provide a more conducive environment and better experience for patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents, improve the safety of our staff and strengthen inpatient care.”

The FMC boss noted that the equipment would strengthen the entire spectrum of cancer care at the centre, ranging from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.

“For example, colposcopes are useful in making diagnosis of pre-invasive cancer lesions, while chemotherapy chairs will help us better deliver chemotherapeutic agents in an atmosphere that is more convenient for our patients,” he stated.

Ogunme revealed that some of the equipment had already been deployed for patient care shortly after installation.

“We started using this equipment since Friday when they were installed,” he disclosed.
On maintenance, he assured the Church that the hospital would ensure sustainability through service agreements with vendors.

“One of the things that are in our DNA in this hospital is to ensure that every equipment we purchase comes with a service level agreement and that ensures that our equipment are properly maintained.”

Expressing appreciation to the Church, Ogunme added: “We feel excited, we feel elated, and we feel on top of the moon. We thank the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for this magnanimous gift and we are making the Church the first friend of this cancer centre.”