Editorial
Early diagnosis, treatment of breast cancer reduce mortality
The month of October is recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and devoted to raising awareness of breast cancer and promoting early detection.
Advocates have therefore begun educating the public about the importance of screening for the disease in order to determine one’s status.
This is due to the fact that although people battle the disease on a daily basis, early screening, diagnosis, and treatment can in fact significantly lower the number of mortality.
In an effort to raise public awareness of the disease’s risks, survivors have also begun to share their personal stories.
The world of many women were completely turned upside down when they heard for the first time that they had been diagnosed with breast cancer based on a biopsy.
They were overcome with anxiety and negativity, which may have caused them to pass away too soon, just by thinking about the illness.
According to reports, there are over 2,000 breast cancer deaths in Ghana alone each year. Nevertheless, medical professionals think the real number is far higher because many instances go misdiagnosed.
The medical professionals reassure patients that there is hope because early diagnosis improves survival rates as treatment can begin to avoid problems.
As a result, The Spectator is advising both women and men to get screened for breast cancer in order to know their status and improve their chances of survival.
We urge breast cancer patients who are thinking about switching from conventional treatment to unlicensed herbal medicines to quit before things worsen.
Reporting to the hospital right away for treatment is advised if you experience even the tiniest breast discomfort. This is so because patients receiving treatment at the hospital may receive chemotherapy, have the afflicted breast surgically removed, or receive other treatments.
However, a large number of people are unable to pay for the necessary medical care, which creates a major barrier to diagnosis and treatment. As a result, a large number of them return home untreated, eventually dying from their sickness.
We kindly ask family members and others not to reject their relatives who have been diagnosed with breast cancer but to provide support to theim, as the cost of treatment is significant and we want to ensure a successful outcome for them.
While receiving the news of a cancer diagnosis is never pleasant, we implore those who are affected by the disease to ignore their fears and instead follow medical professionals’ instructions to “fight and conquer” their illness.
The disease is now affecting a growing number of young women in Ghana therefore more public education and awareness of breast cancer is urgently needed since early detection and treatment can avert death.
Editorial
Promote welfare of African children
The African Union hosts the annual International Day of the African Child on June 16 to increase awareness of the rights and ongoing struggles of African children.
Additionally, the day offers a forum for talking about and addressing topics including healthcare, education, and safety from exploitation and abuse.
It began in 1976 when students in Soweto, South Africa, were killed for demonstrating against inequality and injustice in education.
Since children have rights that must be upheld, the African Day celebration is appropriate because it serves as a poignant reminder to our communities to put children’s needs first, ensuring that they develop and realise their full potential.
Most importantly, it pushes people, governments, and communities to address pressing issues like child labour, inadequate education, and to ensure safe, healthy environments.
This year’s theme, “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010,” is no exception to the efforts done thus far by governments, individuals, parents, and others to advance the welfare of children.
In addition to their rights to nutritious food, medical care, secure housing, and high-quality education, children also require emotional support, safety, and protection from danger in order to flourish.
Children’s physical, mental, and social development depends on these necessities, yet far too many continue to be denied their rights and go without food, housing, water, or health care.
While eating, sleeping, playing, and learning are all important aspects of a child’s growth, some children do not find these activities enjoyable. Such children work independently to make ends meet although their parents are responsible for that role,
Many people and organisations have put a lot of effort into making sure that children’s rights are outlined, upheld, and safeguarded; thus, everyone must keep fighting for children’s rights.
The Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) was created in 1989 as a result of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which served as the foundation for all legal norms pertaining to children’s rights. This is the first international agreement with legal force that covers all human rights.
Therefore, a multifaceted strategy encompassing legal frameworks, education, community involvement, and tackling systemic challenges is needed to assure the preservation of children’s rights.
Laws that safeguard children from abuse must be put into place and upheld, public awareness of children’s rights and protection must be increased, and safe spaces must be established in institutions and communities.
Let us all work together to defend the rights of African children.
Editorial
Employ pros at local government level to address sanitation issues
Dear Editor,
In a car on my way to work on Tuesday, I listened to an interview on sanitation on a radio station which a local government expert said that most of the people that handled waste management issues at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, were not waste management professionals but health professionals.
According to the speaker, this has contributed to the failure to address the sanitation problems, especially at the local level.
These health professionals who have been tasked to oversee waste management are only occupied with the health related dangers but have no clue on the issues at hand.
I felt very sad and found it disturbing as to why people without professional training in waste management is given responsibilities in a field alien to him.
Waste management involves a lot of processes, including segmentation of waste products as well as recycling.
Employers must know that waste management professionals at the local level was important as it helps making decisions ton how to combat it.
This is not a problem at the local government level alone. It is something across the various sectors.
Maybe this is the time for us as a country to start recruiting qualified professionals to occupy their respective fields to bring their competence to the table to solve whatever problem persist.
It is clearly a case of putting ‘square pegs in round holes.’ I believe it is about time we change that narrative and employ professionals who are qualified to find solutions to our waste management conundrum.
Baba Hafiz, Kasoa
