The Sisters of Jannah (SOJ), a Muslim women’s humanitarian NGO, has called on the federal government, philanthropists, and other NGOs to provide urgent financial assistance to cancer patients, citing the overwhelming costs of treatment.
Coordinator of the Sisters of Jannah’s Abuja Zone, Sholanke Akinlade Fadilate, made the appeal over the weekend during the 2024 Cancer Awareness Campaign and Walk, held in the Nigerian capital.
The event, themed “We Are Stronger Together,” aimed to raise awareness about cancer and highlight the NGO’s ongoing support for patients.
“The cost of cancer treatment is extremely high. Our appeal has always been for the government and philanthropists to step in and assist cancer patients, as many are unable to afford the necessary care,” Fadilate said.
She explained that some patients at a hospital the NGO is supporting had been forced to discharge themselves due to financial constraints and were unable to continue treatment.
“Treatment costs have driven many people into severe financial hardship, with some even reduced to begging. We urge the government and NGOs to subsidize treatment and offer financial aid to help these patients,” she added.
Fadilate emphasized the importance of early cancer detection and treatment, stressing that the awareness campaign seeks not only to educate the public but also to challenge the misconception that a cancer diagnosis is a death sentence.
“We’ve seen patients diagnosed early who have gone on to make full recoveries,” she said.
“Some of these patients are members of our community, family, or friends. When cancer is detected early, and patients follow proper medical advice, recovery is possible, and they can return to living normal lives.”
The Sisters of Jannah will also visit the National Hospital in Abuja later this week to provide direct support to cancer patients in need. The NGO’s ongoing initiatives are focused on raising awareness, offering emotional and financial assistance, and ensuring that patients are not left to fight the disease alone.
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