By
Grace Princess Tarwo, GNA
Accra, Nov 12, GNA –
The Pediatric Oncology Unit of the Korlebu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has
received US$10,000 worth of items from the World Child Cancer to improve early
detection and management of child cancer in the country.
The items, which
were presented on Tuesday included; 50-inch flat screen television and
accessories for multidisciplinary meetings, Nitrile gloves, shoe covers, hair
covers, disposal gowns, cytotoxic spill kits, disinfectants, methylated spirit,
cytotoxic bin liners, mattress covers for parents, needles, disinfecting wipes,
gauze, face masks, close system transfer device, roller mixer for dissolving
power drug, refill hand sanitizer and patient monitors.
World Child Cancer
is a Non-Governmental charity organisation was established in 2007 and aimed at
improving access to diagnosis, supportive palliative and potentially curative
care for children with cancer around the world.
The organisation
made the donation believing that no matter, where a child was born, they
deserved equal access to the best treatment and care.
Mr Emmanuel Ayire
Adongo, the Regional Coordinator, World Child Cancer, Sub Saharan Africa who
presented the items said global statistics showed that 300,000 children
developed cancer every year, with majority in low and middle income countries.
He added that an
estimated 1,300 Ghanaian children developed cancer every year with about 38 per
cent of the number presented for specialist care in the country, thus the NGO
was partnering the Pediatric Oncology Unit at the KBTH to develop a Centre of
Excellence for the West African Sub region to deal with child cancer cases.
Mr Ayire Adongo
however said with funds from UBS Optimus Foundation, DFID Celgene, Tropical
Health and education Trust and the British Foreign School Society embarked on
other activities which include;, Training of doctors and Nurses on Pediatric
Oncology, Capacity building of health professionals and community health
workers on early signs and symptoms of child cancer in collaboration with the
Ghana Health Service (GHS).
Other projects were;
Treatment support for investigations, transport and medications for vulnerable
parents and a hospital school project, where teachers from GHS could do
attachments to the Pediatric Oncology Unit ward to teach sick children.
Dr William Obeng, a
Pediatrician who represented Dr Ali Samba, the Director of Medical Affairs
received the items and thanked the NGO for the gesture and efforts to improve
early detection and management of child cancer.
Dr Fred Danso, a
Pediatric residence appealed to government to include the treatment of child
cancer under the National Health Insurance Scheme to help parents who could not
afford treatment for the children.
He said risk factors
such as; Exposure to cigarette, infections and hepatitis could lead to the
ailment and advised parents to report children to the hospital should they
detect changes for early treatment.
Some of the items
donated would be conveyed to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
GNA
