Cancer not necessarily a killer, advocacy group
A breast cancer support group, Project Pink Blue has assured cancer patients that a diagnosis of the dreaded disease is not equivalent to death sentence based on the fact that thousands of people have survived the scourge.
Runcie Chidebe, executive director of Project PINK BLUE, said his organisation considers a cancer patient s a survivor (a champion), “because we believe that with the right care; he/she will survive.”
Speaking further, he said, “It is on this premise that we honoured cancer survivors, and launched Abuja Breast Cancer Support Group, a network for cancer survivors (champions) to network, care for each other, advocate and lead the fight against cancer in Nigeria.”
Muhammed Usman deputy chairman, House Committee on Health Services and co-sponsor of the bill for the establishment of National Agency on Cancer Control, says “poor funding of the health sector is one of the key causes for the increasing rate of cancer in Nigeria. In 2016, the budget to health is 4.13%, and this 2017 is 4.17%, if you consider the challenges facing the health sector; you would know that the allocation is poor”.
He further said, “Cancer is responsible for 72,000 deaths per annum in Nigeria. This number is set to increase given that there are 102,000 new cases of cancer every year.
“As the number of cancer incidence continues to grow in Nigeria, it is becoming ever more important to address the unique needs of cancer survivors.”
“Many cancer survivors face stigma, limited access to healthcare specialists, a lack of information about promising new treatments, inadequate or no insurance, difficulty finding employment, and psychosocial struggles”
“United States celebrates 14.5million people living with cancer and beyond cancer, how many cancer survivors are we celebrating in Nigeria? Our goal is mobilize and get cancer survivors to come out from their closest to advocate and help other people battling with cancer to survive”.
Emeka Ibe, managing consultant, James Daniel Consulting, said that in 2013 alone, India granted medical visas to 40,000 patients and medical dependents in Nigeria.
He further said, “As a nation, Nigeria is losing her millions of dollars and national reputation to medical tourism. We must do everything possible to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Ramatu Hassan the National Coordinator of National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) asserted, “That most people affected by cancer believe in traditional or spiritual method in the management of cancer. Hence, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) is focused on creating awareness to get people report to the hospital early enough”.
All the nine (9) Breast Cancer Survivors endowed with Champions Medal by Project PINK BLUE, expressed happiness for the honour and they believe that Abuja Breast Cancer Support Group would be a dynamic platform for them to motivate other patients never to give to cancer despite all the pains.
Miss Comfort Oyayi Daniel, a 35 year old lady said “I was diagnosed of stage II breast and my boss replaced me while I was still in the hospital bed. I don’t have anybody to run to, and I needed N9million for my treatment; later the cost increased to N15million because of exchange rate. Thank God for Project PINK BLUE who raised the entire N15million for me and right now I have started my chemotherapy. I will give my best to the support group to help other women”.
Anthonia Obokoh