STORY BY MICHAEL OFOSU-AFRIYIE, KUMASI.
15, 802 DIE OUT OF CANCERS IN GHANA YEARLY—-DR BEATRICE WIAFE ADDAI REVEALS.
Renowned Cancer surgeon, Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai has disclosed that 15, 802 persons in Ghana die from Cancer related diseases and illnesses annually.
She said the mortality rate is from about 24, 009 cases the country records from all cancers in every year.
Addressing this year’s world cancer day at Goaso, the regional capital of the Ahafo Region on the theme “Close the Care Gap” , Dr Wiafe Addai urged stakeholders in the health sector to avert their minds to the disturbing incidences of Cancer in the country and help to tackle it with measures that would advance diagnosis and treatment swiftly.
Dr Wiafe, who is also President of Breast Care International (BCI) and Chairperson of the Ghana National Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (GNCD) asked for same treatment for the rich and poor who may be suffering from cancer so that the country could stem the tide of the worrying incidences.
“Cancers in Ghana can significantly reduced if charities operating within the space are assisted with adequate resources and logistics to reach the hinterlands where the condition is pervasive due to the abject poverty and ignorance”, Dr Wiafe passionately appealed.
GOASOMANHENE:
Nana Kwasi Bosomprah I, Goasomanhene and Chairperson for the Cancer Day Celebration challenged chiefs and traditional leaders to take particular interest in the health of their people especially women.
He urged them to rally behind the campaign to sensitise the citizenry about the incidences of cancer as well as the treatment remedies available at the hospitals.
Nana Bosomprah noted the excellent efforts of BCI to carry on with education and sensitization of cancers especially breast cancer across the country.
This effort, he noted should be supported by government and stakeholders in the health sector so that more people could be reached with education and sensitization of cancers.
REGIONAL MINISTER:
On his part, George Yaw Boakye, Regional Minister for the Ahafo Region commended the efforts of BCI and the GNCD Alliance for committing to carry out sensitization and education of the citizenry on cancer related diseases.
This, he noted would get the populace to become aware of the threat of cancers and the treatment regimes as well as preventative measures available.
He pledged the support of the Ahafo Region to BCI and GNCD Alliance and asked that the sensitization drive be adopted and carried out periodically in the Region.
Accompanied by Osei Boahene, MCE for Asunafo North Municipal Assembly, the Regional Minister thanked the Goasomanhene for hosting such a well intentioned event in the Ahafo Region and for allowing for the screening of women and the aged at his Palace for free.
SURVIVORS:
Speaking at the event which was laced with poetry recitals and musical performances, Madam Vivian Gyasi-Sarfo, President for Breast Cancer Survivors Association said the disease was treatable.
She recalled how some family members who had it but had less knowledge about the treatment regimes died of same sadly.
Madam Sarfo commended the efforts of Dr Wiafe Addai for sensitising and educating women on breast cancer as well as others.
She noted that she got treatment for her case at the Peace and Love Hospital owned by Dr Wiafe, the cancer surgeon and advocate.
