Hot!
Ghana on track to eliminate cervical cancer – MSD Director
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MSD-Director-Pix.jpg&description=Ghana on track to eliminate cervical cancer – MSD Director', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MSD-Director-Pix.jpg&description=Ghana on track to eliminate cervical cancer – MSD Director', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Mr Zweli Bashman(inset) addressing Stakeholders at the programme
The Managing Director of Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa, Mr Zweli Bashman has expressed confidence in Ghana’s efforts towards the elimination of the deadly cervical cancer.
According to Mr Bashman, the collaborative efforts by stakeholders including government, private sector and health practitioners in Ghana was a step in the right direction towards eliminating the disease and its associated deaths.
“I am impressed with the collaborative nature of all the stakeholders including private sector players, healthcare practitioners and government. With the kind of collaborative leadership, I am convinced that Ghana is on its way to eliminate cervical cancer,” he stressed.
He was speaking on the sidelines of Africa Health Business Women’s Symposium held in Accra under the theme “Establishing Sustainability in Cervical Cancer Prevention, Screening and Care in Ghana.”
The event organised by MSD, a global health care company formed part of efforts and journey towards cervical cancer elimination on the continent.
“Cervical cancer is the most deadly cancer on the continent and the sad thing is that it is preventable. Hence there has been a lot of focus by the World Health Organisation (WHO) through private partnerships, government, policy makers and other stakeholders to ensure its prevention,” he said.
Consequently, he announced that there would soon be the introduction of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme in Ghana next year which would help in the prevention.
“Ghana currently has HPV incidence of 3000 per annum which means that 3000 women are diagnosed of cervical cancer every year. Of the number, 60 percent would pass away which is a staggering figure considering that this is a preventable disease. The vaccination programme would, however, help reduce the incidence of cervical cancer and the mortality rate significantly,” he explained.
“The rollout would be next year and would provide enough time to government to ensure an effective rollout particularly in the space of social mobilisation, healthcare awareness and education for communities and practitioners,” he stressed.
He also called on male partner involvement to support the prevention of cervical cancer in Ghana as it also affects men in various ways.
“There is the assumption that HPV causes cancer in women alone but that is not entirely true. It also causes cancer in men including hidden neck cancers and anal cancers, hence it is important for men to participate in that learning process with their partners and get vaccinated as well,” he added.
To achieve the elimination agenda, it must involve vaccinating adolescents between nine and 14, all gender neutral vaccination as well as adults.
“There is a high degree of prevalence and mortality rate and everyone must be involved in the education and preventive measures,” he stated.
“We all need to come on board. The government must put in place structures that would enable people to get screened, advocacy groups and manufacturers to continue investing in research and development while healthcare consumers exhibit early health-seeking behaviour to ensure that we are not dealing with late stage cancers,” he explained.
Across the continent, he said, they were looking forward to having 80 to 90 per cent of the population having a viable and effective vaccination rollout.
The programme brought together stakeholders within the health sector in the country and beyond to discuss collaborative efforts towards the elimination of cervical cancer in Africa.
Stories By Michael D. Abayateye
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
