By Michael Dibie
Health experts in Nigeria has called for the establishment of National Cancer Registry adding that it will give the country data to drive research, drive National planning and intervention against childhood cancer.
The health experts made the call at the 9th Okapi Childhood cancer awareness walk 2025 organised by Okapi Children Cancer Foundation in Abuja.
President Nigeria Cancer society Abidemi Omonusi noted that most People in Nigeria believe there is no Child cancer because there is no registry to drive data. He urged parents with children with cancer to speak up so government can intervene in the situation. “ . So we use this opportunity to call on National Assembly so that in 2026 budget, special package should be made for childhood cancer”.
According to him, Nigeria government should be able to provide a robust budget to drive child cancer patients, he noted that over the years, millions of dollars have been used to finance diagnostic and prostate, cervical cancer. “But how much has been invested on childhood cancer? Just 100million in this year’s budget, even the amount can’t be accessed to support children with cancer” he said.
Also speaking Head of Management, Okapi Cancer foundation, Dr Ozi Okonokhua says there is no register where every child who has cancer in Nigeria is documented. “So one of our core initiative is to advocate for the establishment of national council registry for children, so that nationally we can have the statistic of children who have cancer in Nigeria.
Speaking on this year’s theme “Hope in every step” Dr Ozi Okonokhua says they try to key-into the global message as the them captures the message that is used globally by WHO.
“We only work with three institutions, National Hospital, Federal medical center, Jabi and University of Abuja teaching hospital and they do not represent the total statistics of cancer in Nigeria, “he said.
He says the Okapi children cancer foundation from inception has not been able to access any grant, adding that everything they do comes from individuals who support the foundation with the little they have. “The government is doing its bid but we look up to corporate organisations to assist in this project.
The 6km charity walk was organized to support children fighting cancer, the walk aims to make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer. According to the group, If children are detected on time, their chances of survival increase a great deal.
