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By Amaechi Agbo

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme has called on the global leaders to shift attention to cancer treatment and make it a global issue as they have done with Covid-19.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers player who state this in a series of tweets Thursday noted that Covid-19 is no longer a deadly virus as earlier said since individuals are now aware of what to do not to contact the virus.

The former Leicester City goalkeeper noted that while Covid-19 is highly avoidable and can be contained, such cannot be said of cancer as people are dying across the world due to lack of treatment.

Ikeme who was diagnosed with acute leukaemia (A type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells) in July 27 2017 said he is in a risk group adding that if cancers are not treated, the patient dies, they might not never get Covid. Even if they do they still could be fine

“There are so many other pressing issues that are being missed including cancer patients dying from not accessing treatments. This has to be a priority!

“Early diagnosis is vital. How much longer can we continue with these restrictions that are clouding other issues we have to face

“We all know more than we previously knew about covid. How much longer can we be told who we can and can’t see and what we can and can’t do !

“I am In a risk group but take responsibility if I want/need to go somewhere. I don’t expect every bodies life to stop!

“The problem is if cancers are not treated the patient dies, they might not never get Covid . Even if they do they still could be fine,” he said.

Responding to a comment from a commentator who shared her family experience with cancer, Ikeme said “I’m sorry to hear this, it’s so challenging for everyone to try and support our loved ones . I’ve heard similar stories recently where people have lost family through not accessing treatment, then not being able to support family members after . I hope u are ok 🙏🏽”

Carl Ikeme made his international debut for Nigeria on 5 September 2015 against Tanzania in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game.

He was pivotal in Nigeria’s successful qualification campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but could not go to the final tournament due to his cancer treatment, which manager Gernot Rohr called his greatest regret

Born and raised in England, Ikeme chose to represent Nigeria at international level, earning ten caps between 2015 and 2016.

Carl Ikeme, sadly, retired from football in 2018 after being in complete remission.