Good deeds: Groups wage war against childhood cancer,

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

To ensure prevention, early detection and treatment, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPPL) Foundation and the Akanimo Cancer Foundation have waged a war against childhood cancer, as they kicked off their first rural cancer campaign and free eye screening scheme for children aged one to 18 at the Etim Ekpo Model Healthcare Centre in Akwa Ibom State. The campaign assembled state government officials, lawmakers, religious and traditional leaders and medical professionals among others.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), childhood cancer has claimed over 1,000 lives in Niger in recent times due to ignorance, late detection and high cost of treatment. Also, childhood cancer survival rate in Nigeria is about 20% compared to over 80% in high-income countries.

Leading the exercise was the national coordinator of Akanimo Cancer Foundation, Idorenyin Usoh. She reminded the children that the initiative was to save their lives. She recalled how her 12-year-old son died on Christmas Day in 2019 due to the disease and the devastating effect it had on family and friends.

She said: “Our mission is to create awareness for childhood cancer, support children with cancer to access treatment, support families of children with cancer to navigate this challenging journey, and support the efforts for new treatment and cures.

“We envision a future where no child in this country has to forgo life-saving care due to financial constraints, lack of awareness or inadequate facilities.

“Every year, nearly half a million children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer but this statistics does not include children who die undiagnosed in economies like ours.

“Among the diagnosed, the childhood cancer survival rate in Nigeria is just about 20%, compared to over 80% in high-income countries. Even more sadly, many die undiagnosed.”

She explained that, since the inception of sensitization, they have focused on raising awareness in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Lagos, Oyo, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.

Beyond that, she said they have also offered financial and psychosocial assistance to children with cancer and their families, ensuring they have the resources to access and complete treatment; and advocate change and support research by partnering with stakeholders to improve the healthcare system, for better policies, and equitable access to pediatric cancer care.

According to her, the group has changed the negative narrative of childhood cancer, clarifying that it is not a death sentence but a battle that could be won.

She maintained that early detection saves lives, saying, with knowledge, vigilance and timely care, children could be given the chance to grow, thrive and live beyond fear.

Speaking on the eye screening, she said: “We are providing free eye screening for a minimum of 500 children while educating the families in the communities of Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika on the basics of childhood cancer detection and care.”

Also, the managing director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuel Arukwe, argued that, without proper healthcare, dreams would die, aspirations would be crushed and determination would be buried in misery.

He said: “At NNPC Limited, we believe that health is a critical factor in social development, which is why we are proud to support this programme, because every child, regardless of background or geography, deserves a chance at life, at health and at hope.

“Supporting programmes as this underscore our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, which are central to NNPC Limited delivering quality of life to Nigerians beyond having impact in the energy sector.”

Arukwe, represented by Eno Okon, added: “To enhance food security, NNPC Foundation had earlier in the year commenced training of vulnerable farmers across the six geopolitical zones in modern farming techniques, concluded with the southern geopolitical zones and currently progressing with the northern geopolitical zones, having cumulative numbers of over 7,000 rural farmers trained.”

On his part, director of Etim Ekpo Model Healthcare Centre, represented by Magdalene Udoka, said securing the health of the children was paramount: “If a child is not healthy, that child cannot go to school, cannot meet up with others.”

A paediatrician at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Dr. Iniobong Okon Udoh, urged parents to always take their children to the hospital when they notice symptoms, including loss of weight, loss of appetite and high fever.

“Why I am here is because we have seen a lot of cancer patients where I work. I am here to tell you that cancer of children exists.

“Sadly, we cannot really pinpoint the things that trigger cancer in children, unlike in adults. The good news is that, if it is detected early and access to care is given, the child can be cured 80% of the time”.

Moreover, national coordinator, National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Uche Nwokwu, pointed out that over 40% of cancers are preventable, including cancer of the cervix and liver cancers, among others.

He said: “The federal government has also taken steps to ensure that children’s cancers are properly captured in our national policy documents and taking steps to improve access to cancer treatment.

“So, we now partner with the World Health Organisation, what we call the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer Care. So, that is going to be providing subsidised cancer treatment for children.”

In conclusion, the Supervisory Councillor for Health, Udosen Monday, said: “This is a good social intervention for the people of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area and I welcome this.

“I really want to appreciate you for this programme because, without health, these children cannot go to school.”