By Sarah NEGEDU
As the world grapples with the scourge of cancer and its devastating effect on individuals, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, is calling for urgent intervention from governments at all level, in the screening and treatment of the disease.
A Communication Assistant at the Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Ms Cecilia Kadiri, made the call at a press briefing to mark the 2022 World Cancer Day.
Kadiri, who lamented that cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, stressed that awareness and power of knowledge remains the best means of reducing the global impact of the killer disease.
She therefore called on governments, Civil Society Organisations, and well spirited individuals to make facilities available for regular testing and treatment.
She said her call was being guided by this year’s theme; “Close the Care Gap”, stressing that the cancer community would make its voice heard on a global scale, generate enthusiasm, raise awareness about the need to close the gap in cancer care and make sure that everyone has equitable access to life saving services.
Kadiri, however commended the Union for International Cancer Control, UICC, for inspiring greater awareness of cancer and action in better prevention, detection and treatment of the disease.
According to her, “Our call for greater awareness is anchored on 2022 theme; “Close the care gap”. We need more awareness from governments at all levels, CSOs and individuals. Government should make facilities available for regular and compulsory testing yearly and treatment should be affordable.
“The natural remedies should be promoted and encouraged too especially those plants certified by scientists. We know that every single one of us has the ability to make a difference, large or small, and that together we can make real progress in reducing the global impact of cancer. Close the care gap, is about identifying and addressing the barriers that exist for many people around the world in accessing the care they need.”
The World Cancer Day is an international day marked on February 4, to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. World Cancer Day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration.
