Cancer care: Foundation calls for elimination of inequalities

On Mar 2, 2024

The Atinuke Cancer Foundation has called on the government and leaders at all levels to eliminate all forms of inequalities in accessing cancer care in Nigeria.

The call was made during a free health outreach organised by the foundation at the Primary Health Centre, Badore, Ajah, Lagos, to commemorate the 2024 World Cancer Day, themed ‘#closethecaregap’.

During the outreach, free cervical cancer screening, Human Immunodeficiency Virus test and High Blood Pressure checks among others were carried out for free.

It noted that this can be achieved by addressing the root causes of disparities and ensuring that every person irrespective of gender, age, education or financial status, has access to quality health care when needed.

Speaking at the event, which kicked off with a five-kilometre walk that started from the health centre, the Founder, Atinuke Cancer Foundation, Tinu Lawal, said half of the world’s population lacks access to the full range of essential health services.

According to her, it is important to campaign for equity in cancer care as everyone deserves equal access to quality healthcare.

She noted that less than 30 per cent of low-income countries have cancer treatment services available compared to 90 per cent in high-income countries.

Lawal lamented that for white women in the United States, the five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is 71 per cent, while 58 per cent is the rate for black women.

She stated that it was due the gap that her foundation was calling on leaders to eliminate health inequities by addressing their root causes.

Lawal explained that the goal of the initiative, carried out in conjunction with BET9JA, the Lagos State Aids Control Agency, and other partners was to provide access to essential health services, promote early detection and treatment of life-threatening conditions, as well as to close the care gap.

“By narrowing the care gap, we can ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background or financial status, have the opportunity to receive life-saving screenings and treatment.

“Despite significant advances in cancer detection and treatments, access to care remains challenging for many people around the world. It is because of this gap that we are offering free screening and tests so that people would have access to health.

“Together, we can create a cancer-free future; together we triumph and make a positive impact on the health of our communities. Let’s kill it,” Lawal added.

The Business Development Manager, R-Jolad Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos, Paul Oriola, who represented the team that conducted the cervical cancer screening in support of Atinuke Cancer Foundation, said cancer has been a serious illness in the country but if detected early in life, can be treated.

He said, “This is why we are screening the women and offering counsel at the same time. We are here to support the foundation to screen and treat women with Human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer.

“This screening is supposed to be N10, 000 but we are doing it free for women that come here because of the awareness we are creating through Akinuke Cancer Foundation.

“We have collected biodata, email addresses and phone numbers of the women we have screened. We will be sending their results via email or phone. For those that need counselling, we offer counsel because early detection is the way out.”

World Cancer Day is celebrated every February 4 to raise awareness of fundamental cancer issues around cancer including prevention and treatment.

PUNCH/Wumi