GWAGWALADA (FCT) — Nearly 60 per cent of paediatric cancer patients receiving care at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) discontinue treatment, largely due to fear, anxiety and a loss of hope, the Acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Bob Ukonu, has said.
Ukonu disclosed this on Thursday during the “Mural of Hope: Unveiling Inspiration for Paediatric Cancer Patients” event held at the hospital in Gwagwalada.
He was represented by the Acting Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Joseph Obande.
According to him, treatment abandonment remains one of the major challenges undermining cancer outcomes in Nigeria, particularly among children.
“When people are diagnosed and treatment is commenced, about six out of every 10 patients abandon treatment along the way. This is often driven by fear, anxiety and lack of hope,” he said.
Ukonu noted that the situation reflected a wider disparity in cancer care between Nigeria and developed countries, where survival rates are significantly higher.
He explained that while about 80 percent of cancer cases are curable in developed countries, only about 20 percent are successfully treated in Nigeria, describing the gap as wide and deeply concerning.
He said the Mural of Hope project, implemented by a coalition of organisations including BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF), Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) and the Burkitt’s Lymphoma Fund for Africa (BLFA), was designed to address the emotional and psychological burden faced by young cancer patients.
The mural, an artistic painting installed in the children’s cancer ward at UATH, is intended to inspire hope, reduce anxiety and improve the overall hospital experience of paediatric patients undergoing cancer treatment.
“Research has shown that art in clinical settings can ease anxiety, promote healing and improve overall wellbeing. Once children are inducted into treatment, whether through drugs, radiotherapy or surgery, they often struggle with fear, abandonment and hopelessness.
“This mural will help inspire hope and support the healing process of children in this ward,” Ukonu said.
Also speaking, the Consultant Paediatrician in charge of the Oncology Ward at UATH, Dr. Uduak Offiong, stressed the need for sustained advocacy and public awareness on childhood cancer.
She said many children present late for treatment, especially those from rural communities, when the disease is already advanced.
“By the time many of our patients arrive, the cancer is quite extensive, and at that stage care is often palliative. People need to understand that children can have cancer, and the earlier they come, the better the outcome,” she said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, said the Mural of Hope initiative was aimed at bringing encouragement and reassurance to children and their families during the difficult cancer journey.
Represented by the Programme Manager of MCF, Ms. Aisha Muhammed, Bagudu said the project formed part of a broader programme at UATH to show young patients that they were not alone in their fight.
She commended the hospital and partner organisations for their collaboration and reiterated the importance of early detection.
“Early detection saves lives. We must begin the fight before cancer progresses to an advanced stage,” she said.
The visual artist and art educator who emerged winner of the Mural of Hope competition, Mr. Joseph Steve, said the artwork was inspired by nature, which he described as having healing qualities, as well as his experience working with children aged between five and 11 years.
The event climaxed with the presentation of a cash gift to the winner of the Mural of Hope art competition.
