Nearly 60% of pediatric cancer patients at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) in Nigeria discontinue treatment or decline to begin treatment – decisions often driven by fear, anxiety, and a loss of hope. Murals and positive imagery in clinical settings are useful tools that ease anxiety, promote healing, and support overall well-being. To improve UATH patients’ experiences and reduce treatment abandonment, BVGH, UATH, the Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF), and the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) organized Mural of Hope – a public contest to select a local artist to paint a mural in UATH’s pediatric cancer ward. Unveiled last month, the mural, which was painted by Mural of Hope winner, Mr. Joseph Steve, is inspired by nature and Mr. Steve’s experience teaching art to children.
Funded by the Burkitt’s Lymphoma Fund for Africa (BLFA), the mural is one of several BVGH projects with UATH focused on promoting hope, reducing fear, and supporting pediatric cancer patients to continue treatment.