Maxcare Foundation Nigeria is a duly registered CML support and advocacy group formed by CML and GIST patients who benefit from the GIPAP Programme of the Max Foundation, courtesy of Novartis. The group was established 31st of March 2011, but formally registered as an NGO with Corporate Affairs Commission in June 2014 with headquarters situated at the GIPAP centre, Department of Haematology and Immunology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) under Prof. M.A. Durosinmi. Currently, membership is made up solely by patients whose number as at August 2015 was over 700.
Maxcare consists of 6 appointed trustees but its operations are run by an appointed 5-man Executive Committee and 6 coordinators from each geo-political zone which holds meeting with members on a quarterly basis, with a yearly celebration of World CML Day every 22nd September. For now, the group is funded by generous donations from members.
Our core vision is to provide care and support to CML patients. We achieve this by;
- Provision of peer support to newly diagnosed and existing patients;
- Provision of useful information to patients to reduce anxiety and fear of isolation;
- Advocacy for the rights and welfare of members;
- Linking of patients to best treatment available;
- Soliciting for support from the Federal Government in addressing the challenges faced by CML and GIST patients in accessing other TKIs.
Some activities we have been engaged in since inception are:
- Hosting enlightening programmes to raise awareness about people living with CML.
- Organising seminars to educate and inform patients and caregivers of best practises as regards treatment and monitoring of the disease
- World CML Day celebration every 22 day of September.
In terms of training, Maxcare Nig. has participated in International workshops and conferences namely:
- CML Life Africa (the Regional Network for CML support groups in the African region, sponsored by the Max Foundation), held annually since 2012.
- CML Horizons conference held annually by the CML Advocates Network. We have participated in two conferences (2014 and 2015), one of such participation was graciously sponsored by Novartis Pharma Services Nigeria.
We are currently listed on the CML Advocates Network website as a patient organisation and we have both witter & Facebook presence. All URLs are shown below respectively:
http://www.cmladvocates.net/cml-groups-list/23-middle-east-and-africa/322-maxcare-nigeria
http://www.facebook.com/maxcare nigeria
Maxcare Foundation Nigeria 