March 14, 2014

Experts in paediatric oncology at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, have blamed high number of cancer deaths, particularly in children in Nigeria on late presentation of cases in various hospitals for treatment.

Meanwhile, Children Living With Cancer Foundation, CLWCF, in partnership with Avicenna International School and Unilever Nigeria Plc, has donated cancer treatment equipment valued at about N6.7 million to LUTH paediatric cancer ward.

At the donation, the experts agreed that Nigeria was faced with challenges of effective cancer treatment due to late presentation and wrong diagnoses.

Consultant paediatric haematologist at the Department of Paediatrics, LUTH, Professor Edamisan Temiye, said most parents whose children have cancer symptoms do not take the prompt initiative to seek medical care until it is too late to save the child.

He lamented the growing incidences of wrong diagnosis of cancer cases in the country, regretting that some medical personnel do not have the capacity to diagnose cancers among patients, thereby worsening cancer morbidity and mortality rates in Nigeria.

Commenting on some of the equipment donated which included 180 bone marrow aspirators, 20 central lines, 14 infusion pumps, six pulse oximeters, oxygen panelling and points for each bedside, Temiye said the donation would go a long way in the fight against childhood cancer in the hospital and Nigeria at large as well as bring hope to children living with cancers.

The hospital’s Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, CMAC, Professor Chris Bode, said the kind gesture would help the hospital care for the children better.

Bode who represented the Chief Medical Director, Professor Akin Osibogun, urged parents to seek medical help for their children early enough.

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