Perpetua Egesimba
Experts have urged the Federal Government to subsidise leukaemia treatment in the country as cost of the treatment is high.
Speaking at a special Valentine’s Day event for patients with leukaemia and a free blood donation exercise in Lagos, organised by Timilehin Leukaemia Foundation, with the theme: “Ignorance is not an excuse, not all temperature is Malaria,” an Oncology Nurse at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Oluwatoyin Awosemo, said leukemia was common among Nigerian children between the ages of zero to 14 years and chemotherapy drugs are expensive.
According to her, people always wish away the fact that they need treatment and refuse to go to the hospital when they are supposed to go for treatment.
She said: “Some will go and pray; they will go to the mountain; it is our factor; we cannot really blame them; that is why we are creating this awareness.
“However, chemotherapy drugs are very expensive. There is a type in chemotherapy that cost about N200,000. When they don’t have money, what do they do? And when there’s a break in treatment, there could be a relapse.”
Founder of Timilehin Leukaemia Foundation, Mrs. Janet Modupe Oyedele, who narrated how she lost her only son to leukaemia, urged government to help subsidise leukaemia treatment by providing free blood, drugs and other consumables needed for its treatment.
Said she: “As we speak, a child is dying of leukaemia because there is no blood, no money for chemotherapy and this is why government should come into the health sector and make things better.
“If the future of Nigeria is our children and they are being taken by this disease and nothing is being done, who will be alive to vote in future? Our children are dying.
“A woman lost her child because she could not afford N500, 000 needed for just one drug. Many people are dying. Our minimum wage was formerly N18, 000 but now N30,000. Will that do anything for us? The government should give us take home money that will help us cater for ourselves and pay our rent and other needs.”
She also urged Nigerians to develop the culture of blood donation to save lives.
The governorship candidate of Labour Party in Kwara State, Comrade Issa Aremu, who was the guest speaker at the event, commended the Foundation, saying its ideology was in line with one of his 5Ps agenda to eradicate poverty and provide comprehensive healthcare for the people.
According to Aremu, leukaemia patients need sympathy, love and care of Nigerians. “Given the level of ignorance of the people about leukaemia, patients are stigmatised. These people need blood; we have to create awareness and provide those things they need.
“I intend to collaborate with the foundation and plan a fund or a bank account dedicated for the treatment of leukaemia.”