The Project Coordinator of Project Pink Blue, an NGO, Gloria Okwu, has called on the Federal Government to formulate a policy that would make cancer treatment accessible to all Nigerians.
Okwu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the screening of a movie “Conquering Cancer” on Tuesday in Abuja.
She said governments at all levels should take the health of Nigerians seriously, adding that cancer is preventable.
“Let the government take it upon themselves to help people and community prevent it. Cancer is a global health issue, and Nigeria is contributing significantly to the large numbers of people being diagnosis every year.
“The government should make the vaccines accessible to all, and also make the people to know that it is accessible.
“The government should also take the accessibility of the vaccine as part of routine immunisation. When such is done, it will go a long way to eliminate Cervical cancer in Nigeria,” Okwu said.
She also called on the citizens to take their health matters seriously, adding that they should make their health matter a priority by immunising their girl child against cervical cancer.
According to her, it is better to immunise than to treat.
“This is because you spend millions of naira to treat cancer and the patient and the family may suffer and the patient may eventually die at the end of the day.
“But it will not take you up to N50,000 to immunise your child to prevent her from developing cervical cancer, meaning that prevention is cheaper than cure.
“For our women, please do your regular screening and follow-up check up.
“A woman can develop cervical cancer at a very young age; that is why parents should immunise their children and take their health issues seriously,” Okwu stressed.
She said that Project Pink Blue organised the event to screen a movie titled ‘Conquering Cancer’.
According her, the movie has a message which appeals to the world to eliminate cervical cancer.
“And because, we understand the relevance of the message and we cannot do it all, so we keep screening the movie and this is the third time; and we bring different stakeholders.
“Our aim is for the stakeholders to take the message back to their community and we continue to create awareness on social media, television programmes, etc that cervical cancer can be prevented.
“Cervical Cancer can be prevented; and it can be manage and cure if detected early,” Okwu said.
The high point of the event was the showing of the movie which showcased the possibility of eliminating cervical cancer as was done in Eastern Africa.
The event attracted stakeholders from the health sector and media industry.
