By Justina Auta
University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), on Tuesday, commended Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF) for donating N9.6 million to poor and less-privileged children with cancer in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Chief Medical Director of UATH, Prof. Bisallah Ekele, gave the commendation during presentation of the cheque by the Board of Trustees of OkapiCCF.
Ekele said that the money, which was raised for children battling cancer in Abuja, would enable them, mostly from poor homes, to continue treatment.
He said the donation would reduce the burden on parents and guardians, adding that “the hospital always looks forward to the visit of your foundation because it always brings hope to children fighting cancer.
“This donation will enable some of these children continue treatment and reduce the hardship on their parents.
“I also commend your organisation for the transparency in operations and ensuring it gets to the less-privileged children.
“We look forward and hope for more fruitful partnership in years to come.”
Dr Ozy Okonokhua, the Director of Programmes for OkapiCCF, said the gesture was part of the group’s support in commemoration of the International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, globally celebrated in September.
Okonokhua added that the foundation embarked on massive campaigns to raise awareness and gather support for children fighting cancer.
He said “we thank and appreciate the management of UATH for the support during the awareness campaign throughout the month of September.
“We were able to raise N9.6 million and the children at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and the National Hospital, Abuja, are eligible to benefit from the fund.
“The beneficiaries, who will be children between 0 to 18 years, can access the fund without any discrimination or preference to ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.”
On her part, Ms Kemi Adekanye, the Chief Volunteer of OkapiCCF, said the gesture was to alleviate the pain of Nigerian children fighting cancer and support their parents.
Adekanye added that the diagnosis and treatment of cancer is expensive and not easily affordable for some, especially those in rural areas.
According to her, the foundation has over the years organised annual walk, donated money for treatment and supported children and families of those affected.
She appealed to government to incorporate childhood cancer treatment and care into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) mandate to reduce the burden and death rate of victims of the disease and to support parents and caregivers. (NAN)
