By Hassan Hussain
The Chief Medical Director of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Prof. Thairu Yunusa, says Nigeria’s healthcare system can achieve global standards through teamwork, compassion, and patient-centred care.
Prof. Yunusa stated this in Abuja during a celebration organised in honour of cervical cancer survivor Ms. Mercy Moses, 26, at the hospital in Gwagwalada. He described the successful treatment as a major milestone for the institution and a symbol of hope for cancer patients across the country.
The CMD attributed the success to the collective efforts of doctors, nurses, social workers, cleaners, porters, and other hospital staff, stressing that quality healthcare delivery thrives on teamwork. He said the hospital remained committed to equitable and compassionate healthcare services, noting that despite limited resources, the institution had continued to prioritise efficiency, effectiveness, and patient-centred care.
According to him, Mercy Moses had moved through several hospitals before arriving at UATH, where medical experts from different specialties collaborated to save her life. He said the feat demonstrated that Nigeria possessed the expertise and capacity to reduce medical tourism if local healthcare institutions were adequately supported.
Prof. Yunusa added that the achievement aligned with the Federal Ministry of Health’s mandate on clinical governance and improved population health outcomes under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He commended the survivor’s resilience and courage, urging Nigerians to believe in the country’s healthcare system, and praised the management team, consultants, nurses, and support staff for their dedication throughout her treatment.
The CMD further disclosed that the hospital had taken over the treatment of another indigent child patient suffering from a severe medical condition, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to supporting vulnerable Nigerians.
A BREAKTHROUGH IN LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS
Consultant Gynaecologist Dr. Ishaq Lawal described the successful surgery on Ms. Moses as a major breakthrough in cervical cancer management in low-resource settings. He said managing cervical cancer in Nigeria remains highly challenging due to financial constraints, limited access to treatment facilities, and delays in diagnosis and care.
“Managing cervical cancer can be very challenging in low-resource settings like ours. Mercy’s story shows how difficult the journey can be. We need collaborative efforts from communities, healthcare providers, government, and well-meaning Nigerians to support cancer patients through complete treatment,” he said.
Dr. Lawal explained that Mercy underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy before receiving a radical hysterectomy, a highly complex procedure after radiation because tissue planes are often distorted, increasing surgical risks. The surgery lasted about six hours and involved collaboration between multiple departments, including radiology and perioperative nursing teams.
“We worked closely with the radiology department, conducting repeated trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal ultrasound scans to determine operability. Though the surgery was difficult, the anticipated complications were less severe than expected. To the glory of God, the operation was successful,” he stated.
A LONG, DIFFICULT JOURNEY
Dr. Lawal recounted that Mercy’s treatment journey began in 2018. She moved through private hospitals and general hospitals before arriving at UATH in 2023, where she received a histological diagnosis. Due to financial challenges, she struggled to maintain consistent chemotherapy and radiotherapy and was referred between several hospitals, including the National Hospital Abuja, the African Medical Centre of Excellence, and treatment centres in Kano.
He revealed that Mercy spent six weeks sleeping in an uncompleted building in Kano while receiving radiotherapy because of lack of accommodation and funds. “Her journey was extremely tortuous. At several points, treatment was interrupted because of lack of funds, strikes, and limited access to radiotherapy services,” he said.
To support more women battling cervical cancer, Dr. Lawal announced that remaining funds from Mercy’s public fundraising campaign would be transferred into a new initiative, the Cervical Cancer Care Access Fund. The initiative will focus on supporting one patient at a time through complete treatment rather than spreading limited funds thinly across many patients.
The team also plans a nationwide multi-centre study on cervical cancer treatment in low-resource settings, including examining ultrasound scanning as a cheaper alternative to MRI for evaluating patients before surgery. They are also proposing an annual Cervical Cancer Survivors Day to celebrate women who have completed treatment.
‘A SYMBOL OF RESILIENCE AND HOPE’
Consultant Gynaecologist Dr. Habiba Abdullahi described Mercy as a symbol of resilience and hope. She said Mercy first presented at the hospital in September 2023 as a young orphan with little support and was diagnosed with cervical cancer after histological examination.
The medical team was emotionally affected by the diagnosis due to the patient’s age and vulnerability, Dr. Abdullahi said. Treatment was irregular because of financial constraints, but Mercy did not experience rapid tumour progression, which gave doctors hope for her recovery.
She was later referred to the National Hospital Abuja for chemoradiation, where specialists joined her management. “Mercy is a celebrity among cancer patients,” Dr. Abdullahi said. “Her survival story has become widely known within cancer support circles.”
‘I WAS GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE’
In an emotionally statement after her surgery, Ms. Moses, a Benue indigene, expressed gratitude to God and the medical team for standing by her. She recalled moments of fear before the operation and said many patients she met during radiotherapy in Kano had lost their lives.
“Despite the difficult experience, I remained hopeful and drew strength from the encouragement of doctors and caregivers. The warm treatment I received at the hospital made me feel at home,” she said. She thanked UATH’s management and staff for giving her a second chance at life.
The successful surgery on Mercy Moses is now being celebrated as a landmark achievement and a symbol of hope for cervical cancer patients across Nigeria.
