An Executive Director, Project Pink Blue, Mr Runcie Chidebe, has called on the Federal Government to reactivate all the cancer control centres across the country to reduce the burden of the disease on Nigerians.
Chidebe made the call in Abuja on Saturday while speaking with newsmen after a road walk to commemorate the 2024 World Cancer Day which is marked annually on Feb. 4.
According to him, most of the cancer treatment centres across the geo-political zones in the country are not working, hence the need to put them in order.
The executive director also alleged that there was no government own radiotherapy machine in the whole of south-south zone cancer treatment centre, and that the only radiotherapy machine in the centre was owned by a private individual.
He commended the Federal Government for doing its best by providing the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer.
“There was a need for the Federal Government to decentralise cancer control, rather than leaving it in the hands of only the Federal Government.
“States must also take up responsibility in the protection of cancer patients, stressing that there should be Cancer Institutes in the states.
“We need cancer institute at different states level.
“Today, many people are presenting themselves late for treatment and we are blaming the patient. This is not so true in some instances.
“The reality is that the system needs to be rejigged, the system needs to be fixed in a way it can help people to present themselves early.”
He said, “I am so happy to be here. I am so excited because we have people from different parts of the country to celebrate the 2024 World Cancer Day, of which the theme of the celebration is “Close the cancer care gap.”
“The reality is that the government is doing a lot especially around the HPV vaccination which is great and commendable but there are still other gaps that exist.
“For instance, treating cancer is so expensive and we strongly believe that we should do more to reduce the burden of cancer care.
“Some treatment facilities are currently not available, so, we also hope that there is enough to really close the care gap.
“Our specific act today is that early detection saves lives, but the reality is that early detection and treatment is the one that saves lives,’’ he said.
He called on the government to include screening in the Basic Primary Health Care Provision Fund (BPHCPF) in a way that it will be a basic thing to provide screening, more importantly for women.
According to him, thousands of women and men die of cancer yearly.
Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), appreciated PPB for the road walk, saying that cancer is a big contributor to sicknesses among Nigerians.
He said that the road walk was all about making aware of what they need to do to prevent cancer, and going for screening and to detect it early. He urged Nigerians to take cancer screening as priority.
Aina also urged Nigerians to get vaccinated against cervical cancer as Human Papillomavirus vaccine was now available at various health centres.
He advised those already prone to the disease to watch what they eat and take vaccines that help to prevent the sickness.
Dr Zainab-Shinkafi Bagudu, wife of a former Governor of Kebbi State, called for increased awareness and care for persons already with the disease.
She also called for more equity, diagnosis for Nigerians in spite of status or religion, adding that it was important for everyone to have access to cancer care.
“We must bridge the gap to feed the people in the rural areas with the knowledge they need about cancer.
“We call on the government and stakeholders to help in providing necessary equipment for dialysis, chemotherapy and others,’’ she said.
Mrs Ijeoma Osuji, E-Commerce Manager, Transcorp Hilton, an organisation that had always supported the project, reaffirmed the organisation’s continued support to PPB.
“We have been a partner with PPB since 2016, supporting the cause of cancer awareness, early detection, closing the care gap and we will continue to be of support to them,’’ she said.
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