First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo with Dr Beatrice Wiafe-Addae
First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has promised to build a one-stop cancer treatment centre in the country to make available and accessible cancer treatment services for breast cancer victims.
According to her, she believes that “this will make a significant impact on cancer care and breast cancer care especially in Ghana” and she would make all efforts to ensure that breast cancer treatment is covered by National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Mrs Akufo-Addo called on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to cover a comprehensive breast cancer care service for women.
She said such a facility would make a strong impact on the various breast cancer awareness campaigns in the country.
Mrs Akufo-Addo was speaking at the seventh Breast Care International (BCI) walk for breast cancer at Koforidua.
Addressing thousands of residents at the Koforidua Jackson Park in the Eastern regional capital after a mammoth walk against breast cancer dubbed ‘Walk For Cure’ on creating awareness for breast cancer, she stated that she would not renege on the pledge she made during the UN General Assembly side meeting for African first ladies.
“I made a pledge to help drive the building of a one-stop cancer centre in Ghana in my address at the last UN General Assembly side meeting for African first ladies in New York in September. I believe this will make a significant impact on cancer care and breast cancer care especially in Ghana. I, however, believe that comprehensive care of breast cancer under NHIS will make this even more impact. I am very committed to this cause and I believe every Ghanaian woman deserves access to top quality cancer care in the country,” she mentioned.
Mrs Akufo-Addo also challenged BCI to “increase the number of survivors of breast cancer from the present 800 to 2000 in the foreseeable future in a bid to boost public confidence in the various treatment options of the disease.”
Wiafe’s Remarks
The President of Breast Care International & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peace and Love Hospitals, Dr Beatrice Wiafe-Addae, on her part, called on women to stop looking for breast cancer treatment from prayer camps and herbalists.
She indicated that breast cancer is neither a spiritual disease nor a herbal disease, but one which rather requires hospital attention and because of that her outfit has trained some nurses in breast cancer treatment in the Eastern and Ashanti Regions to serve as volunteers to help educate women on breast cancer examination, who will soon deliver a door-to-door services as part of efforts to curb the disease.
FROM Daniel Bampoe, Koforidua