Mariya Sidi, A Life Saver

Mariya Sidi is literally a lifesaver, in more ways than one. She spends most of her time as a surgery resident. Surgeons need the stamina of athletes.

That has not dissuaded Dr Sidi from helping to save lives. That alone is taxing enough. But she is also saving lives in a different way, by providing financial support to cancer patients.

As the founder of the Basmalah Cancer Foundation, an NGO raising awareness about cancer and supporting patients, she has raised millions of Naira, helped pay for patients’ treatment, supported them, and subsidised their medication.

Between 2024 and 2025, Basmalah extended that life-saving financial support to 23 cancer patients, 17 of them women, and most with breast cancer.

According to Basmalah estimates, between N150,000 and N500,000 is needed for a cancer diagnosis. That cost includes consulting, CT scans, biopsy and lab fees.

The cost of treatment rises to between N1m and N10m, depending on the cancer type.

In one fundraising appeal, Dr Sidi posted on social media for a young woman with breast cancer. She spoke of patients who couldn’t even afford to feed themselves.