Why we are taking cancer fight to communities- group
The fight against cancer and its prevention is being taken to the various communities in Nigeria. The move which is being powered by the National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP), a non-governmental initiative of Mass Medical Mission (MMM), is targeted at taking cancer fight to Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas for free.
The aim, according to the organisers is to enable Nigerians irrespective of their location live a cancer-free lives.
It is estimated that over 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annually and about 80,000 die with 10 deaths every hour and with a dismal survival rate of 1:5.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria has had a significant increase in the incidence of deaths from the common cancers within four years. In 2008 breast cancer killed 30 Nigerian women daily; by 2012 this number had risen to 40 women daily. That same year, prostate cancer killed 14 Nigerian men daily and by 2012 the number rose to 26 men daily.
Speaking at the unveiling of mobile cancer centre, to mark the World Cancer Day, Sunday, February 4, 2018, in Lagos, Dr Kin Egwuchim, Co-ordinator, Mass Medical Mission, said the mobile centres are four in numbers to be situated in four zones from which they will serve the states within their zones.
The zones are Delta, Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
“The mobile cancer centres, operated by PinkCruise, are designed to run integrated healthcare services that include all other preventable diseases and not just cancer alone. They are equipped with state of the art medical equipment which cost about $600,000 per one.
“For us, the cost does not matter but, the driving force is the value we place on one Nigerian live,” he posited.
He pointed that among other things the hosts and beneficiaries who has eye challenges will equally be treated.
“We discovered that when people go blind, their lifespan shortens and that is why we are taking the eye treatment very serious. The eye care aspect is handled by PinkVISSION, which stand for Voluntary Integrated Sight Saving Initiative of Nigeria,” he added.
The Executive Secretary committee encouraging corporate philanthropy, Dr. Abia Nzelu, on her part said, the poor medical culture of Nigerians coupled with the financial capacity to seek medical care had necessitated this initiative.
“According to WHO, globally, out of every 3 persons, one will be diagnosed with cancer. And, 8.8 million people will die and the number is expected to rise. With this in mind we feel that this initiative will help Nigerians cure if not prevent the spread of cancer and all other preventable diseases,” she noted.
To be able to achieve its objective, the organisers said, the route of the mobile cancer centres will be sent ahead to the various regions so that people can know when to access the centres.
