Voices of survivors, parents, medical professionals and faith leaders have converged in a collective appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria to make childhood cancer treatment free, as stakeholders marked International Childhood Cancer Day in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The call was made during an advocacy outreach at Church of Christ, Kado-FCT, organised by the Akanimo Cancer Foundation, with similar activities held in over 11 locations across Nigeria including Lagos, Kano, Uyo, Ibadan, Aba, Port Harcourt, Enugu and the FCT.
Six-year-old cancer warrior, Miss Lois Adebayo, who is still undergoing treatment, said government support would help children survive.
“My name is Lois Adebayo. I am 6 years old. I am a cancer survivor and I feel much better. I want to tell President Bola Tinubu to give support to everyone that has cancer so that they can be fine and be well in Jesus’ name.President Tinubu, please make cancer treatment free for children,” she appealed.
Her mother, Mrs Gloria Adebayo, described the financial and emotional toll of cancer treatment, stressing that many families are struggling to afford expensive drugs and therapies.
“It has not been easy because cancer treatment is not a child’s play. Cancer treatment is a devourer. It sucks everything from the parents. We have been going around looking for how to reach out to government to help us with our children.However, it is not forthcoming.” She bemoaned.
She expressed concerns on the noncoverage of children in cancer treatment.
“we were told that the cancer treatment support does not cover children. So I was wondering, if it can cover adults, then why not children that have a better chance of survival? from the little I know and the efforts I have made, that is what I was told, that cancer treatment is not covered for children presently.”
For her, the treatment cost is a great challenge as such she appealed;
“So we are struggling by ourselves and I will plead. Please, help us plead with the federal government to come to our aid, to make cancer treatment free, especially for the children because they are the leaders of tomorrow,” she begged.
Dr George Ebong, President of the Association of Resident Doctors, FCT, speaking on behalf of the Akanimo Cancer Foundation, said taking advocacy to churches was intentional.
“The church is the first family that we know,” he said. “Akanimo was a young boy unfortunately diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer.
“So we feel that the church being a family of God is a place, a very committed place, that this sort of awareness should be carried out.”
According to him, medicine and faith are not opposites but work hand in hand, adding that medicine comes and healing comes from faith.
“The Bible talks about faith and works. So, when you have faith in God, you need to also work to make sure that that faith actually materialises.
“Of course, even in the Bible, when Jesus Christ healed the lepers, he told them, go to the temple, meet the priest who acted as doctors then and the Bible also said if people are sick they should visit physicians.”
Dr Ebong explained that healing comes from God, but God gives knowledge to doctors.
He warned that many Nigerians, especially men, avoid hospital visits until it is too late, often due to superstition or fear of appearing weak, and encouraged regular medical check-ups even when there are no symptoms.
Speaking on childhood cancer, he listed warning signs parents should not ignore to include persistent pain, long-lasting fevers, unusual swelling, unexplained bleeding, loss of appetite, constant fatigue, abdominal pain, or behavioral changes in children who were previously active.
“Any child can have cancer. Early detection is the key to proper treatment and a positive prognosis,”he said.
He also made a direct appeal to the government stating that, “Cancer treatment for every child in this country should be free not subsidised, but free.”
Evangelist Abiodun Adegoroye, a cancer survivor of 15 years diagnosed in 2011, described the emotional shock of facing cancer as a minister.
“I’m a preacher of the gospel, and I had cancer. It was devastating,” he said.
He cautioned against the belief that faith alone prevents illness.
“It is not true that if you are a Christian, you will not be sick. Faith helped me stand and recover, but I also needed medical treatment.”
Mr Samuel Ekanem, an elder of the Church of Christ in Kado, said the congregation welcomed the awareness initiative.
“We understand the need for early detection. Even Jesus said the sick need a physician.”
He stressed that seeking medical care does not contradict faith.
“God gives wisdom and knowledge to doctors. We combine prayer and treatment.”
Mary Oji, another participant, urged parents to act promptly.
“When you notice something is off, seek medical help. Get second or third opinions. Give that child a fighting chance.”
Childhood cancer remains a leading cause of death among children globally. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 400,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
According to the Akanimo Cancer Foundation, survival in Nigeria is about 20 per cent, meaning that four out of five children diagnosed with cancer die due to late diagnosis, misinterpretation of symptoms, and delay in seeking care.
The theme for this year’s observance is ‘Demonstrating Impact: From Challenge To Change.’