Thread by @runciecwc

People living underlying conditions such as Cancer, Asthma, COPD, Hepatitis, Diabetes, Sickle cell, HIV/AIDs, etc are at higher risk of catching or dying from #COVID19

Please if you know any living any of these illnesses, encourage them to take extra precaution
Please RT.
Thanks

Abuja- Monday, April 20, 2020. The new respiratory illness referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 and abbreviated as “COVID-19” has changed life as we know it for the foreseeable future. COVID-19 affects the lungs and airways;

this illness was first discovered in China and has now spread all over the world including Nigeria. Nigeria now has over 500 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 20, 2020, with 170 people discharged and 21 deaths an alarming increase from the first index case on 25th Feb. 2020.

This has caused a lot of panic among Nigerians with the fear that Nigeria does not have appropriate healthcare facilities to contain the impact of the community spread of this virus.

At @projectpinkblue we are more concerned and worried that people at higher and increased risk of catching or dying from COVID-19 are people with underlying conditions such as cancer patients; people living with lung conditions such as asthma,

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); heart diseases such as heart failure; chronic kidney disease, liver disease such as hepatitis, diabetes, people living with spleen problems like sickle cell disease or have their spleen removed,

people with weakened immune system as the result of conditions as HIV and AIDS, steroid tablets or chemotherapy as well as people who are overweight (having BMI of 40 or more)
(Sources: @WHO @CDCgov @NHSuk ).

“Some cancer treatments including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and radiation can weaken the immune system. People who have weakened immune systems have a much higher risk of complications if they become infected with this coronavirus.

People with cancer that has metastasized (spread) to the lungs also can have lung problems that may get worse as a result of coronavirus infection.

For this reason, cancer patients and other people living with underlying conditions are people with the most risk of getting coronavirus or referred to as ‘shielded’ or ‘extremely vulnerable people’.
They should be protected and shielded.

The government needs to urgently procure telemedicine to care for these people living with underlying conditions, because if cancer is not treated, it continues to spread to other vital organs” said Runcie C.W. Chidebe, Executive Director, Project PINK BLUE.

According to a study with 1,590 cancer patients who had COVID19, conducted in China by Liang et al (2020) published on The Lancet Oncology, they asserted that “patients with cancer may have the worse outcome, higher risk of severe events than people without cancer”.

@projectpinkblue is greatly concerned and is calling on the @NigeriaGov @Fmohnigeria @PTFCOVID19 & @NCDCgov to explore strict measures to protect and shield this extremely vulnerable people.

@projectpinkblue commends all oncology workforces across Nigeria taking extra measures to speak to cancer patients on phone and care for them in this moment of uncertainty. We also commend all health workers and the @NCDCgov in the frontline caring for people impacted by COVID19.

@projectpinkblue is committed to protecting all people impacted by cancer in Nigeria, and providing helpful information and support to Cancer Patients, Cancer Survivors, Caregivers, Cancer advocates, and Patient navigators,

hence, we have started a zoom meeting series on COVID19 and Cancer. We also provide psychological support, please reach (out) via [e-mail] or call 08188347020.

Project PINK BLUE - Health & Psychological Trust Centre is a leading cancer-fighting non-governmental organization in Nigeria, our work's just won the 2020 Global Ties United States IVLP Award for Social Innovation and Change. Pls visit projectpinkblue.org to learn more.

Contact: Oluwadara Olayiwola,
Programmes &Communications Lead,
Project PINK BLUE. 08188347020
[e-mail]