By JUSTINA AUTA

Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF) has called on the Federal Government to subsidise childhood cancer treatment and include it in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Ms. Kemi Adekanye, Founder and Chief Volunteer of OkapiCCF, made the call during a community medical outreach in collaboration with Silver Cross Hospital Foundation in Gidan Magoro, Abuja, on Saturday.

Adekanye explained that government involvement would enable children with cancer to receive quality care.

“The government should be more involved in childhood cancer. There’s a cancer health fund, but children are not included in it.

“We would like to see subsidised treatment for childhood cancer and increased support for awareness creation,” she said.

She emphasised the importance of awareness, noting that many people did not believe children could get cancer.

“People don’t know the signs and symptoms to look out for in children. Early detection is key to survival. If awareness improves, the chances of children surviving cancer will be much higher,” she added.

Adekanye stated that the foundation, which started in 2017, had supported more than 200 children suffering from cancer at the National Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, and Abuja University Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

She urged parents to be vigilant and seek immediate medical intervention for any health issues affecting their children.

“Parents are empowered to watch for warning signs. When a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, we do all we can to help the child survive.

“We also visit communities and schools to raise awareness. There has been improvement, for example, in Dutse community, people are now more informed,” she said.

Dr Patrick Eze, Medical Director of Silver Cross Hospital, highlighted the outreach’s role in screening for various diseases.

“During the screening, we detected a woman with a breast mass, which shows the importance of such outreaches and the need to access medical healthcare services,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Mariam Salami, a breast cancer survivor, lamented the high cost of cancer care for survivors and their families.

“The journey has been very challenging. Survivors frequently travel for treatment, and drug prices keep skyrocketing. I have spent more than N20 million on treatments,” she said.

She appealed to the government to support survivor reintegration into society through meaningful engagement, as many survivors lose their jobs or means of livelihood.

Mr Musa Magaji, village head of Gidan Magoro community, expressed gratitude to the organisation for improving access to healthcare.

“I appreciate the organisers for choosing my community. This is the first time we have had such an event here.

“I feel empowered and will continue the conversation in my palace, encouraging early hospital visits since early detection is key to survival,” he said.

Other activities at the outreach included free health checks, eye exams and glasses distribution, childhood cancer awareness, and relief materials given to children. (NAN)