A youth activist in Niger State, Yahaya Mohammed-Usman, popularly known as Sai Baba, has called on Governor Umaru Bago to immediately employ an oncologist and establish a cancer treatment center in the state to stem the rising case of cancer-related deaths.
In a video addressed to the governor on Monday, Mr Usman lamented the rising case of the disease across the state.
The activist said it was unfortunate that no single cancer specialist could be found in all the state-owned hospitals.
He added that most cancer patients had to travel several kilometers to Abuja or other parts of the country before accessing medical care.
Mr Usman’s lamentation followed the death of his sister-in-law Khadijah Bashir, who died of the disease on Sunday.
He said: “In the whole of my life, I have never heard or listened to a more painful and traumatizing story like that of Khadijah Bashir [Ummi].
“Ummi was killed by cancer, the dreadful, painful, agonizing killer.
“Ummi was just 24 and had barely graduated from school as a law student preparing to go to law school.
“On hearing the news, my blood pressure spiked, my head was heavy, my eyes became red and vision blurry, my body became weak, and I felt the frailty of human life. One moment you are here, the next moment you are there.
“I still managed to attend the burial. Ummi was a very jovial, lively person. I am sure Ummi fought her battle but lost. So sad!”
Continuing, Mr Usman said: “The information I got later is that the mom got to know she was treating cancer after a much longer time.
“But from February it has been bills upon bills, tests upon tests, drugs upon drugs, 1m, 500k, 300k, 50k; at some point she was completely drained. Support that came from uncles all went into treatment, yet she died!
“The most traumatizing incident was when Ummi started chemotherapy. The mother said, “Ummi, after some injections, would become distraught, confused, and restless. Imagine how it feels to watch your child in pain and restlessness.
“Ummi did the first chemotherapy, did her second, but didn’t survive to do the third,” he added.
“From what she said, even the efforts to do a surgery were delayed because the cancer has spread around the rib cage, damaging the area.
“She said, after several treatments and spending so much, they were told they have to start a fresh process completely again.
“She said they were paying heavily and daily for drugs and accommodations because she had to move to Abuja because there was no oncologist in Minna, pay for the hospital, and pay for feeding. It was not easy.
“After listening to the story, I came close again to tears; I felt deep and sincere pity for all cancer patients. In my whole life, I have never come this close to the story of a cancer patient,” Mr Usman added.
“The reason why I am making this video is to appeal to Gov. Umar Bago to see it as a matter of urgency to immediately employ at least 3 oncologists into the state’s civil service.
“Also, there should be a cancer screening/treatment center even if it will be a temporary place before the completion of the teaching hospital.
“Because these diseases are financially constraining and time-consuming and have taken away several lives,” he added.
