The NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte, the social impact arm of NNPC Limited, has launched a rural sensitisation and free eye screening programme in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as part of efforts to raise awareness and promote early detection of childhood cancer.

The initiative, held in collaboration with the Akanimo Cancer Foundation, was organised to mark this year’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM).

Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella N. Arukwe, was represented by Mrs. Eno Okon, who stated that the programme reflects the Foundation’s commitment to healthcare and social development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

“Every child, regardless of background or geography, deserves a chance at life, at health, and at hope. This rural sensitisation is timely and critical, because it ensures no child is left behind simply because of where they live,” she said.

She noted that the Foundation’s involvement was driven by the need to close gaps in awareness, access, and treatment for childhood cancer, particularly in underserved areas.

Since its establishment in 2023, the Foundation has delivered social impact projects across the country. In 2024 alone, it provided free cancer screening for over 3,400 Nigerians, 6,028 cataract surgeries, glaucoma screening, cardiovascular operations, and medical relief for flood victims.

Founder of the Akanimo Cancer Foundation, Dr. Idorenyin Usoh, who lost his 12-year-old son to cancer in 2019, stressed the need to reach rural communities.

“In Nigeria, the survival rate for childhood cancer is about 20% compared to over 80% in high-income countries. Many more die undiagnosed, not because cancer is more aggressive here, but because diagnosis and treatment are privileges, not rights. This is why we are focusing on rural areas,” he said.

At the event, more than 1,000 children from Etim Ekpo, Abak, Ika, Ibiono, and Uyo LGAs received free eye screening, while the Akanimo Foundation pledged to support treatment costs for children requiring referrals.

The Federal Ministry of Health, represented by Dr. Uche Nwokwu, Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme, commended the partnership and noted that the government is integrating childhood cancers into national policy in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“Most childhood cancers are not preventable, but they are curable if detected early. Early detection saves lives, and that is why awareness campaigns like this are critical,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr. Iniobong Okon Udoh, a pediatrician at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, urged parents to watch out for warning signs, such as unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, or fatigue, noting that up to 80% of childhood cancers are curable with early detection and care.

The host community, represented by Hon. Udosen Monday, Supervisory Councillor for Health in Etim Ekpo, described the programme as a “vital lifeline” for children in the area.

Arukwe reaffirmed NNPC Foundation’s commitment to inclusive healthcare and sustainable partnerships, saying: “This gathering is about awareness and a call to action—to break the silence around childhood cancer, dispel myths, and give families the information and support they need.”

The event combined awareness, community engagement, and preventive health services, giving hundreds of rural children access to eye care and underscoring the importance of early detection and inclusive healthcare interventions.