Lafia, Nasarawa State – October 2024: TotalEnergies Upstream Limited, in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and other partners, has donated a state-of-the-art Mammography Centre to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia. This initiative aims to bolster the fight against cancer and improve healthcare access in Nasarawa State.
The donation was officially handed over on Tuesday by Mattieu Bouyer, Managing Director/CEO of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited. Bouyer emphasized that the facility is part of the company’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, particularly targeting remote and underserved areas in Nigeria. Since 2016, TotalEnergies has launched 84 infrastructural projects using a novel “project managers” approach, which utilizes local expertise and engagement to deliver in challenging environments.
“This mammography centre is a testament to our ongoing commitment to the global fight against cancer,” Bouyer said, adding that the project aligns with TotalEnergies’ endorsement of the #WorkingWithCancer movement—a global initiative supporting recovery and job retention for employees affected by cancer.
He also highlighted the significance of the donation, noting that over 120,000 new cancer cases are recorded annually in Nigeria, according to a 2023 report by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment. The centre will provide vital early detection services for breast cancer and other cancers, helping to reduce fatality risks and bridge healthcare access gaps in the region.
“By providing affordable early diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, we believe this centre will play a critical role in saving lives and improving health outcomes in Nasarawa State,” Bouyer added.
The donation of the mammography centre coincides with October being designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, further underscoring TotalEnergies’ commitment to drawing attention to the issue.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, expressed gratitude for the facility, stating that the state government had prioritized healthcare development, including investments in both primary and tertiary healthcare delivery. He also commended TotalEnergies and its partners for their significant contribution to improving the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
“We are committed to addressing the healthcare needs of our people, and this partnership with TotalEnergies aligns with our vision of ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare,” Akabe said.
Governor Sule also thanked President Bola Tinubu for recognizing the formerly state-owned health center and converting it into a Federal University Teaching Hospital, which he believes will further enhance healthcare access and quality in Nasarawa.
The Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (Rtd), also praised the efforts of the state government and TotalEnergies for providing the facility. “On behalf of the people of Nasarawa, I thank TotalEnergies for this generous contribution, and we assure you that we will take good care of the facility,” Bage said.
Dr. Ikrama Hassan, the Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, expressed his appreciation to TotalEnergies and its partners for the project. He stated that the new facility would significantly reduce the burden of breast cancer in the region and eliminate the need for patients to travel to other states for treatment.
The completion of the Mammography Centre is a major step towards enhancing healthcare infrastructure in Nasarawa and will play a key role in addressing the cancer care needs of the local population.
