ABUTH, NGO to support vulnerable female cancer patients in Kaduna
The Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) is to partner with the HASSY’S Haven Foundation, a Non-Governmental organisation, to support vulnerable female cancer patients.
Prof. Ahmed Hamidu, the Chief Medical Director of ABUTH, Shika, Kaduna State, made this known during an advocacy visit by the HASSY’s Haven Foundation team to his office.
He highlighted that the initiative to support cancer patients by the foundation aligns with the federal government’s Cancer Health Fund (CHF) programme, which deposits N1 million into the wallets of vulnerable cancer patients to support their treatment.
The CHF, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Health, aims to provide cancer treatment to indigent Nigerians and strengthen national cancer care, focusing on breast, cervical, and prostate cancer patients.
Prof. Hamidu explained the process patients can follow to access these funds, emphasising the importance of assessing patient vulnerability and eligibility through social health workers and medical experts.
Inspite of the federal government’s efforts, Prof. Hamidu noted that some patients fail to seek treatment due to financial constraints, even after their wallets have been credited.
He underscored the need for additional support to address these barriers.
He said ABUTH is one of the six newly created cancer centres across Nigeria, equipped with experienced cancer treatment experts, striving to become a leading facility in terms of affordability and accessibility of quality services.
Earlier in her remarks, Hussaina Yakubu, the founder of HASSY’S Haven Foundation, shared her personal reasons behind the decision to form the foundation during the visit.
She said her late twin sister’s eight-year battle with throat cancer, which ended in 2023, inspired her to support vulnerable cancer patients.
She recounted the challenges patients face in seeking financial and emotional support, which fueled her commitment to this cause.
The Foundation aims to provide targeted interventions for poor and vulnerable female cancer patients, promoting early detection and treatment to reduce cancer mortality.
Yakubu emphasised the importance of starting their efforts at ABUTH, given its significance as a major healthcare facility.
She said that through this collaboration, HASSY’S Foundation and ABUTH hope to alleviate some of the burdens and improve access to cancer treatment for women in need.
According to her, their joint efforts represent a significant step towards ensuring every cancer patient receives the necessary care and support.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports ,the CHF initiative, which began in 2021, includes six pilot hospitals: Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; National Hospital, Abuja; University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin; Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; and University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Data from the Global Cancer Observatory indicated 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 deaths in Nigeria in 2022. Breast cancer was the most prevalent, followed by prostate and cervical cancers.
It further reports, HASSY’S Foundation, which is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) envisions a world where every individual, including cancer patients, has access to necessary opportunities and support.
