Group Donates Chemotherapy Medication Worth N1m to Women at LUTH
Chemotherapy drugs worth N1 million were recently donated to indigent women at the Breast Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) by CancerAware Nigeria, a cancer intervention non-profit organisation.
According to the Executive Director, CancerAware Nigeria, Tolulope Falowo, breast cancer remains the most common cancer in Nigeria accounting for almost 38 per cent of all cancer fatalities in the country.
“Our women often present late, hence our mission to reduce this trend through early detection and patient support.During the Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we ran a fundraising campaign to support low income women battling breast cancer,” she noted.
Falowo urged the federal government to establish world class treatment centres for cancer across the country, adding that this will help reduce the rising cancer incidence in the country.
A Consultant, Radiation and Clinical Oncologist and Coordinator, The Breast Clinic LUTH, Dr. Wumi Alabi, said the gesture was a memorable one for the clinic, which started about a year ago, being the first of its kind.
Alabi said the clinic was aiming to make more diagnosis, treat patients early and making sure that they make available support for the care of the patients. CancerAware Nigeria with the donation has really helped to make the clinic meets some of its aims.
Alabi said the clinic was making so much effort in ensuring that the federal government incorporate cancer care into National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and that the efforts are beginning to yield results.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy CMAC, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo said LUTH management was happy that CancerAware care for indigent patients who cannot afford the treatment.
Adeyemo, who represented the CMD, LUTH said cancer treatment in Nigeria was very expensive and that for a group like CancerAware to come down to donate drugs worth a million Naira, is commendable.
He also called on other NGOs to emulate CancerAware in this kind of gesture, adding that government is trying its best on health related issues generally but cannot do it alone.
Prof. Abayomi Durosinmi-Etti, foremost Radiation Oncologist, while commending CancerAware, also called on the federal government to cut down the cost of treating cancer, especially breast cancer in the country so that it would be affordable.