First Ever Childhood Cancer symposium in Nigeria

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

 

Akanimo Cancer Foundation successfully hosted a symposium and awareness campaign to commemorate International Childhood Cancer Day 2025. The events brought together stakeholders from the healthcare, education, and philanthropic sectors - Medical practitioners, Students, Non-Governmental Organizations, Members of the Nigerian National Assembly, Embassy Representatives and Government Officials from the Federal Ministry of Health, Education and the Nigerian Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment and  to raise awareness and discuss innovative solutions to tackle childhood cancer in Nigeria. This report highlights the key outcomes, impact, and recommendations from the events.

 

INTRODUCTION - 

Childhood cancer is a growing concern in Nigeria, with limited awareness, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and insufficient resources. 

 

Akanimo Cancer Foundation, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to fighting childhood cancer, successfully hosted the first Nigeria Childhood Cancer symposium in collaboration with Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja Nigeria. 

 

The symposium and awareness campaign aimed to educate, engage, and mobilize stakeholders to support the fight against childhood cancer.

The success of this inaugural event led to the announcement by the federal Ministry of Health declaring that this is now an annual official event of the Ministry Of Health.

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Symposium Highlights-

 

The symposium, themed "Inspiring Action: Actionable Solutions to Strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure, Early Detection and Access to Care For Childhood Cancer in Nigeria"  featured Speeches, a panel discussion, and a Keynote presentation from a renowned pediatric oncologist. 

 

Key highlights included:

 

- A keynote address by Prof. Biobele Brown, foremost Nigerian Pediatric Oncologist, emphasizing the need for increased awareness, improved healthcare infrastructure, and collaborative efforts to combat childhood cancer in a presentation titled "Early Detection and Access to Care For Children with Cancer: The Present Reality."

- A panel discussion featuring Medical Professionals in the field of Cancer treatment and care - a Pediatric Oncologist, a Radiologist, a Palliative Care Expert and a representative of the NGO world  with Clinton Health Access Initiative - exploring matters arising from the Keynote presentation vis-a-vis challenges, opportunities,  best practices in pediatric cancer care, need for  innovative research, treatment options, and support services for children with cancer and their families.

 

There were speeches and good will messages committing to institutional support to improve frameworks, policies and overall support from the following:

 

-Prof. Yuguda Saleh, Director General National Blood Services Agency.

-Director General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) Prof. Usman Aliyu represented by Dr Usman Waziri.

-Honorable Amos Gwamna Magaji, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Health

-Honorable Clement Jimbo, Member House of Representatives representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State.

-Dr. Genevieve Ndukwu, representing Managing Director, NNPC Foundation. 

-Dr. Maureen Umeakuewulu representing the President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria.

-Dr. George, on behalf of the Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria. 

 

In a spotlight testimonial from one of the beneficiaries of Akanimo Cancer Foundation, Mrs Glory Adebayo whose daughter has leukemia, the need to subsidize the burden of pediatric cancer treatment and additional psychosocial support for families of patients was again brought to the fore.

 

The Symposium also featured a rack-your-brain session on Childhood Cancer for student participants drawn from four Secondary Schools in Abuja. Students who successfully answered questions won back-packs courtesy The "Inspirationally Grieving my Baby" nonprofit Organization - a US based Charity.

 

The Honorable Minister of State For Health and Social Welfare,  Dr Iziaq Salako, represented by  Senior Assistant -Technical, Dr Kehinde Ololade while highlighting efforts to make childhood cancer treatment and care more affordable and accessible, committed to further collaboration with Akanimo Cancer Foundation to make the event an annual event by the Federal Ministry of Health. 

 

Key takeaways included:

 

- The need for increased awareness and education on childhood cancer symptoms, demystifying the disease within the populace, treatment options, and importance of early detection.

- The challenges facing healthcare providers, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient resources, and limited personnel capacity.

- The importance of collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders to advance pediatric cancer care in  Nigeria.