Textile workers sensitize Lagos residents on cancer

Textile workers under the aegis of National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) have sensitized the public on the rising cases of cancers among Nigerians and ways to curb it. The event which was held in collaboration with Timilehin Leukemia Foundation (TLF) at Ogba area of Lagos state, featured cancer awareness […]

Textile workers under the aegis of National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) have sensitized the public on the rising cases of cancers among Nigerians and ways to curb it.

The event which was held in collaboration with Timilehin Leukemia Foundation (TLF) at Ogba area of Lagos state, featured cancer awareness and free screening of participants.

Speaking at the event, the founder of TLF, Comrade Jane Oyedele gave insight on how she lost her only son to the disease.

She said that lack of facilities in Nigeria makes it difficult for patients to detect the disease earlier and as a result many life have been wasted.

Oyedele also said that high rate of poverty, ill-treatment of Nigerian doctors in terms of welfarism are factors that aid the rising cases on the disease in the country.

She added that her NGO is out to assist patients suffering from the illness and also raise awareness on how to reduce cancer-related deaths.

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Chidinma Obanla whose son is suffering from the ailment, said she spends N70,000 weekly aside pleading for blood donors anytime her son needs to be transfused.

The guest speaker at the occasion, Dr. Oluwatosin Adeyemo, said research around the world has shown that “Cancer is the production of abnormal white blood cells in any area of the body.”

“Every 3minute, a child is diagnosed with cancer, 3 percent in women while 2 percent in men and two are likely to be leukemia,” she said.

She added that people who may be prone to the ailment include those who suffer from one infection to another serially; those who noticed that their PCV is going down; anyone with constant malaria and typhoid, and anyone bleeding in any part of the body often.

In addition, people living close to industries, people with unclean hands or who touches chemical substances and radiation from phones may fall victim of cancer, Dr. Adeyemo said.

In his comment, Comrade Ismail Bello who represented the General Secretary of NUTGTWN, Comrade Issa Aremu, asked Nigerians to show love to one another especially people suffering from one illness or another.

Similarly, the President of NUTGTWN, Comrade John Adaji, said the union has been involved in various awareness campaigns in recent past ranging from HIVS/AIDS, Ebola, etc,.

Adaji added that the union will also support TLF towards the official launching of the NGO come February 24, while appealing to members of the public to donate blood regularly to assist cancer-patients. “Whenever she comes calling for help, blood donation, don’t run away,” he appealed.

However, Dr. Adeyemo advised Nigerians to go for medical checkup regularly, adding that government should provide health insurance services to cancer-patients to reduce amount spent on treatment.

She urged government to establish a national cancer institute as well as increase budgetary allocations to the health sector.