Her Excellency, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudo, in collaboration with the Bio Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) VGH and Medicaid Cancer Foundation, on Friday, 16th August 2024, launched a childhood Cancer awareness campaign at the University of Abuja teaching hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada Abuja.
Dr. Bagudo, who is also the Chairperson First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC) said that BVGH launched the African Access Initiative in 2017 to expand access to quality and good health care professional capacity and to promote African led cancer research and support advocacy Community.
Prof. Ekanem Ekure, the President, Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) during the launching, said that Cancer Campaign was remotely done at the early stage with members of the BVGH before arriving at where they are today.
According to her, Cancer is very challenging especially for children, hence the need for proper awareness and sensitisation was paramount considering the long journey in tackling the disease.
However, she stressed that awareness about Cancer was holistic in nature, looking at both the treatment, funds and the management of Cancer patients as a commitment.
The Chief Medical Director of UATH, Prof. Bissallah Ekele, with the management team commended the conveners for their efforts and support towards the advocacy measures they have taken by launching the Paediatric Oncology awareness materials in the hospital.
The Information Unit reports that the Cancer education materials written in five local languages and English were designed to spread awareness and educate families on the common Childhood Cancer symptoms.