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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
In memory of her late twin sister Hassana Yakubu a reporter with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who battled with cancer for eight years before she died in 2023, Hussaina Yakubu has supported 25 vulnerable female cancer patients at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Kaduna State with N30,000 cash.
Husseina who also works with NAN gave the cash support under the Hassy Haven Foundation, a non-governmental organisation established in honour of her late twin sister.
According to Husseina, the idea was to key into the Federal Government’s Cancer Care initiative having understood the pains of accessing care services based on her late sister’s experience.
She however called on key stakeholders in the health sector to proffer robust initiatives to ameliorate the high cost of medication and other challenges associated with cancer care services in the country.
Remarking on the engagement, the Chief Medical Director of ABUTH, Prof. Hamid Umdagas, described the support as “laudable” and “commendable”, saying the gesture showed that journalists are not just reporting the society, but also being practical.
He reiterated that the Federal Government was doing its best to help cancer patients by opening an e-wallet under the Cancer Health Fund (CHF) with N1m for 100 cancer patients at the federal facility in Shika.
“The N1m was to cover the cost of cancer care for patients who are suffering from prostate, cervical, and breast cancer cancers.
“However, the assistance from the foundation goes to all cancer patients, and it was aimed at women only stressing that many beneficiaries cannot afford the cost of transportation and other logistics to the facility,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Adina Nuhu, appealed to the government to replicate a free HIV treatment model on cancer to cushion the effect of the high cost of its treatment.
She then commended the foundation for the gesture and prayed for the God Almighty to replenish their purse.
