By Doyin Ojasipe.
The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy inNigeria (CECP) has organised a fund raising forum in order to be able to facilitate her pet initiative against the growth of cancer in Nigeria.
The pet Initiative termed “big war against cancer” was flagged-off on the world cancer day, February, 2014 by the NGO in order to be able to sensitize the Nigerian people on the prevention of cancer and treatment as well.
CECP- Nigeria is dismayed at how Nigeria is lagging behind in curtailing the menace of cancer, noting that 4 out of 5 cases of cancer die, while there is only 1 out 5 survivals from cancer.
The NGO also noted that such result was the worst in the whole world and even worse than what obtained in the United States some 60 years ago.
Statistics further revealed that out of every 30 Nigerians, thathave Leukaemia, only 1 survival is recorded; which makes the case even much more pathetic as Leukaemia, a common cancer in both children and adult is now a curable disease.
CECP had therefore called on well-meaning corporate bodies in Nigeria to support the war against cancer in Nigeria.
The NGO is co-promoted by various corporate bodies like Institute of Directors (IoD), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Nigeria Employer’s Consultative Association (NECA)among others.
CECP seeks to take cancer prevention also to the people at the grass roots making use of the Mobile Cancer Centre (MCC)a mobile clinic, with appropriate equipment and side laboratory of which 1 will be supplied to each state for free screening of Prostrate and Colorectal cancer and other tests such as Hepatitis, Malaria HIV/AIDS and Diabetes.
According to the group, “the Mobile Cancer clinic is a clinic on wheels, in which screening, follow-up and several forms of treatment (including surgeries) can take place…, in addition, surgical theatre is incorporated into the MCC, as well as facilities for telemedicine.”
