Healthcare professionals, academics, and policymakers have raised alarm over Ghana’s inadequate cancer care and treatment infrastructure, attributing high mortality rates among cancer patients to systemic deficiencies.
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At a recent Trust Hospital Cancer Care Academy held in Accra, stakeholders convened under the theme “Closing the Care Gap: Advancing Cancer Care through Education and Collaboration” to address critical issues plaguing the nation’s approach to cancer treatment.
Dr. Florence Dedey, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School’s Department of Surgery, emphasized the outdated and insufficient policies governing cancer care in Ghana.
She noted that the National Cancer Control Plan, which should have been updated beyond its 2012-2016 scope, remains unchanged, contributing to gaps in effective healthcare delivery.
“The lack of a current policy framework and limited data collection are major barriers,” Dr. Dedey stated. “We need an updated cancer registry to provide accurate statistics and facilitate targeted interventions and research.”
Echoing concerns, Dr. Wallace Odiko-Ollenu from the Ghana Health Service highlighted financing challenges, inadequate healthcare personnel, and the prevalence of misinformation driving patients to seek alternative treatments.
“Our healthcare system lacks sufficient resources and trained personnel to manage the growing cancer burden,” Dr. Odiko-Ollenu explained. “This has inadvertently led patients to seek treatments from unqualified sources, exacerbating their conditions.”
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He stressed the importance of education and collaboration among healthcare providers to enhance early detection and intervention strategies.
“Education is paramount in empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health,” Dr. Odiko-Ollenu added. “It is crucial for healthcare providers to stay abreast of advancements in cancer treatment to improve patient outcomes.”
Dr. Mary Efua Commeh, CEO of Trust Hospital, underscored the significance of the academy in fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building among healthcare professionals and stakeholders.
“The Trust Hospital Cancer Care Academy serves as a platform for learning and collaboration,” Dr. Commeh remarked. “It is imperative that we equip our healthcare workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle the challenges posed by cancer effectively.”
The academy concluded with a call for urgent reforms in Ghana’s cancer care policies, enhanced data collection mechanisms, and strengthened interdisciplinary collaborations to mitigate the impact of cancer on the population.
“We must prioritize comprehensive reforms to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to quality cancer care and treatment,” Dr. Dedey concluded. “Only through concerted efforts and strategic investments can we achieve meaningful progress in combating cancer in Ghana.”
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