The House of Representatives on Wednesday in Abuja urged the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to urgently take care of the medical bills of former Falconets player Bidemi Aluko.
The Green Chamber of the National Assembly, following a unanimous adoption of a motion during plenary, also asked the ministry to seek better medical attention for Aluko in India or Israel.
The motion was brought under matters of Urgent Public Importance by Rep. Ibrahim Olanrewaju (APC-Ekiti).
Olanrewaju, while speaking, had said Aluko who played for the national under-20 women football team was born in Ijero-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
“Bidemi once played football for Sunshine Queens Football Club of Akure and the FCT Queens of Abuja as a goalkeeper and helped one of the clubs to the third position in the Women’s National League in 2009.
“She was also part of the Nigerian under-17 women football team popularly known as `the Flamingoes’ in 2010.
“Bidemi went on to be among the 25 players known as the `Falconets’, who represented Nigeria in South Korea.’’
Olanrewaju said Aluko was however to discover in 2017, after a breast test and examination, that she has breast cancer and it was already in its Stage Three.
“She underwent mastectomy on her left breast and has since then undergone eight rounds of chemotherapy.
“Bidemi also had 12 rounds of radiation treatment, costing her family millions of Naira in the process.
“After all these treatments, Bidemi started to feel pains and her doctor has recommended another higher chemotherapy treatment.
“So, she urgently needs medical attention that is totally different and higher than the ones she had been receiving locally.
“The painful aspect of it all now is the fact that she and her family do not have the financial capacity to shoulder the financial burden of the said medical attention.’’
The lawmaker warned that if the said urgent medical attention was not given to Aluko within the shortest possible time her health may deteriorate and lead to her untimely death.
After deliberation, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Health to supervise Aluko’s healthcare, with provision being made available to her by the Ministry of Sports.
It added that the two organs of the Federal Government should ensure that Aluko received the best medical care.
The House then urged all well-meaning sports lovers to donate generously for the treatment and care of Aluko.
The lawmakers also recommended that a database “on heroes of Nigeria like Bidemi Aluko’’ should be set up to enable the Federal Government provide adequate healthcare plan for them.
(NAN)
