Stakeholders in Nigeria came together to call on the Federal Government to make childhood cancer treatment free as the country marked International Childhood Cancer Day in Abuja. The advocacy outreach was organised by the Akanimo Cancer Foundation at the Church of Christ, Kado-FCT, with parallel events held in over 11 other locations nationwide, including Lagos, Kano, Uyo, Ibadan, Aba, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Six-year-old cancer patient Lois Adebayo, still undergoing treatment, appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu for government support to help children survive, highlighting the challenges faced by families coping with the financial and emotional toll of cancer care. Her mother, Gloria Adebayo, described the prohibitive cost of drugs and therapies, noting that current support schemes do not cover children, leaving families to struggle on their own. She emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to ensure children receive timely and affordable treatment.
Dr George Ebong, President of the Association of Resident Doctors, FCT, and spokesperson for the Akanimo Cancer Foundation, explained that holding advocacy events in churches was intentional, framing the church as a community hub where awareness and support could reach many families. He stressed that faith and medicine work hand in hand, noting that healing comes from God but doctors are given knowledge to provide treatment. Dr Ebong highlighted warning signs of childhood cancer, including persistent pain, long-lasting fevers, unusual swelling, unexplained bleeding, loss of appetite, constant fatigue, abdominal pain, and behavioral changes, and reiterated that early detection is critical for a positive outcome.
Cancer survivor and evangelist Abiodun Adegoroye shared his personal experience with cancer, cautioning that faith alone is not sufficient for recovery and medical intervention is essential. Church elder Samuel Ekanem and other participants affirmed the importance of combining prayer with medical care and encouraged parents to seek prompt medical attention when symptoms appear.
Childhood cancer remains a leading cause of death among children worldwide, with an estimated 400,000 new cases diagnosed annually according to the World Health Organization. In Nigeria, survival rates are low at around 20 percent, largely due to late diagnosis, misinterpretation of symptoms, and delays in accessing care. The 2026 observance of International Childhood Cancer Day, themed ‘Demonstrating Impact: From Challenge To Change,’ highlighted the urgent need for accessible and timely treatment to improve outcomes for affected children.
