NGO urges FG to establish national agency on cancer

Project Pink Blue, an NGO, has called on the Federal Government to establish a national agency on cancer control to comprehensively manage cancer care and deaths in Nigeria.

Mr Runcie Chidebe, the Executive Director of the organisation which also serves as a Health and Psychological Trust Centre, made the appeal in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He explained that the cost of cancer treatment was too expensive in the country and called for subsidy for cancer patients to save further loss of lives.

He expressed optimism that the House of Representatives would host public hearing on the proposed bill for the establishment of the agency soonest.

The executive director commended the media for helping to amplify the need for a policy driven action on cancer management in the country.

Chidebe said the group commemorated this year’s World Cancer Day with a walk, cycle, ride, skate and marathon against cancer with 1,127 participants on Feb. 4.

“The walk was led by Sen. Tejuoso Olarewaju, Chairman Senate Committee on Health, and supported by artists like Korede Bello, Denrele Edun, Shola Adeyemo."

“Others are Peace Emezue, Ghana Must Go, Big Mo with cancer control advocates and FCT residents.’’

According to him, the centre also launched the Abuja Breast Cancer Support Group (ABC-SG), which was the first support group on cancer in Abuja.

Besides, he said 101 women received cervical cancer screening and five were found with positive abnormal cervical lesion.

Chidebe said 24 men received free prostate specific antigen test and the result showed all negative, adding that 80 women also received free clinical breast examination and 12 were positive with abnormalities.

He said the abnormalities from their test results were currently being followed up and navigated to the next level of care.

However, he said that some had been referred for free treatment in the case of both breast and cervical cancers.