MCF launches free transportation initiative for cancer patients

The Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) has unveiled an initiative geared towards easing transport costs to health facilities for cancer patients in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative tagged ‘Care Wheels: No-Cost Rides for Cancer Patients’ provides free transportation for cancer patients, ensuring they can access life-saving treatments without financial or logistical challenges. Hadiza Arome, […]

The Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) has unveiled an initiative geared towards easing transport costs to health facilities for cancer patients in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The initiative tagged ‘Care Wheels: No-Cost Rides for Cancer Patients’ provides free transportation for cancer patients, ensuring they can access life-saving treatments without financial or logistical challenges.

Hadiza Arome, operations manager for the foundation, said the programme is part of the foundation’s efforts to make cancer care accessible and affordable for patients.

She said, “Our commitment to eliminating cancer in our society drives us to remove barriers and create accessible healthcare solutions for those in need.”

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Speaking during the launch of the initiative in Abuja as part of activities to mark this year’s World Cancer Day, Aromeh said there are a lot of gaps in cancer care in Sub- Saharan Africa such as lack of access to screening and treatment.

She said, “ We have a programme called patient- access to cancer care, which provides access to every aspect of the cancer care continuum. This ranges from awareness to diagnosis to treatment and, of course, palliative care. So, we are able to create programmes and initiatives under this care continuum to cater for their needs.”

She explained that some patients live far away from the city centre and paying transport fare to the National Hospital Abuja or Federal Medical Centre, Abuja regularly poses a huge challenge for them.

“So, we identified that gap and said let’s raise funds and see what we can, put together to buy a vehicle that will help convey patients from their houses to the hospitals. So, any cancer patient can call from anywhere in the FCT and access the services,” she stated.

Gloria Orji, a cancer survivor and president, Network of People Impacted by Cancer in Nigeria (NEPICIN), said the initiative will benefit cancer patients.

She said, “It will definitely help a lot, because it is not easy navigating the roads of Abuja when maybe you’re already weak and don’t have the money to book rides. This particular project will come in handy as the patient can call the foundation, and they will come with the vehicle to take the patient to the hospital. Then after your treatment, they take you back home.  It is a laudable initiative.”

An oncology nurse at the National Hospital, Ene Daaor, said offsetting transport costs for cancer patients will go a long way to help with the huge cost of care.

 

“ It will make it easier for them to come to the hospital,” she said.

 

She advised women to go for a regular pap smear test to prevent cervical cancer.