ECC, a US-based company, has announced a deal with the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan Board of Management for the first phase of a development project to finance, design, construct, and operate and maintain a new, state-of-the-art Cancer Institute in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Under the first of the four-phase project, ECC will conduct feasibility studies and prepare scoping documents and funding applications, the US company announced.

UCH Ibadan intends to finance and develop the Cancer Institute using funding from Export-Import Bank and other financial institutions, according to the statement.

ECC says that the Cancer Institute will be an innovative, holistic diagnostic center, including oncological screening, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, training, and research.

The UCH Ibadan Cancer Institute is estimated to be completed within two years.

“Medical infrastructure and accessibility are critical steps in leading the fight against disease throughout Africa,” ECC’s President & CEO, Manjiv S. Vohra, PE, DBIA said.  “UCH Ibadan and its new Cancer Institute will provide premier oncological services, touching the lives of millions of people and their families affected by cancer. We are proud to lead the development of this ground-breaking institution.”

Temitope Oluwagbenga Alonge, Chief Medical Director, UCH Ibadan, who represented the Board of Management during the signing, said that “Cancer is a leading cause of death at UCH Ibadan. Accurate diagnosis of cancer is germane to targeted treatment modalities. Our partnership with ECC, a world-class, renowned, and reputable company, will no doubt ensure a more accurate diagnosis, and by extension, appropriate and targeted treatment of cancers, as well as offer opportunities for cutting-edge research and the development of protocols in UCH, Nigeria, and the West African sub-region.”

ECC teamed with strategic partners General Electric Healthcare and Health Technologies International to develop the Cancer Institute. Additionally, a major component of the project involves building capacity of the local workforce, according to the US company.

“ECC invests heavily in building relationships with local Nigerian partners who will play a pivotal role in the development of the Cancer Institute,” added Vohra.