NGO to set up cancer registry in the N/E, Nigeria
Medicaid cancer foundation (MCF) a None Governmental Organization (NGO) is prepared to set up a breast and cervical cancer screening training course to build capacity in healthcare workers in the North East States and Nigeria in general.
A Stakeholder forum which aim is to examine data collection from the States is expected to hold in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State leading professionals from and outside the country from 11th to 13th October this year.
The founder and the coordinator of the forum, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, wife of the governor of Kebbi state, Atiku Bagudu in a press statement said her organization is leading the fight to reduce Cancer in Nigeria.
“MCF is leading the fight to reduce the incidence of cancer in Nigeria with this foundation founded 7years ago and has funded over 600 patients battling Cancer with emphasis in early detection through sponsoring screenings, diagnosis and treatment for patients particularly at the grassroots”, she said.
According to Dr. Bagudu, global breakthrough against cancer is winning but in Nigeria, there are constraints for lack of resources.
“Globally there are breakthroughs in the fight against Cancer, Nigerians do not easily access them due to resource constraints and lack of awareness, stressing that the MCF works with leading Pharmaceutical Companies to reduce the high cost of treatment which is a great burden to patients, their families and the entire Nigerian healthcare system.
“All our activities are in line with the national policy on cancer Control and interestingly, we have achieved all these by accessing donor grants and organizing fundraising events throughout the year but with more zeal in October, which is the designated breast cancer awareness month globally. With the support of generous sponsors, we have raised over 100M Naira which we have used faithfully as attested to by our yearly audited account shows”, she said.
The national coordinator of MCF said that as the forum aims to assemble contributions to the improvement of the overall cancer control in Nigeria, it will provide a platform for discussions on quality and accessible screening programs and enhance integration of cancer care, community based cancer approaches and provides concerted efforts in all aspects of survivorship.
The Birnin Kebbi event will end with the launch of a self breast examination kit in the local dialect, Hausa language to create more awareness for early detection and 21st October in Abuja, a 10km walk against Cancer takes off from Wuse while a novelty football match holds in the evening at the Mediterranean sports club, Assokoro, Abuja.
