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Govt ready to add cancer treatment to NHIS
Ashanti Regional Minister
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, has indicated government’s readiness to add the treatments of cancer to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to enhance treatments.
The Minister was speaking at an outreach programme organised by Breast Care International (BCI) and partners at the Straight Way Chapel International Church at Santasi, in Kumasi to mark this year’s Cancer Day.
It was on the theme, “Close the Care Gap.”
Mr. Osei Mensah, who chaired the programme indicated that early detection would prevent the escalation of the disease and reduce the mortality rate.
Dr. Wiafe Addai, President and Founder BCI, stated that, currently, cancer was the second leading disease in Ghana and second cause of death worldwide, and that 10 million people die from cancer yearly, with more than 40 per cent being women.
She argued why government and all stakeholders were making the treatment of cancer costly and not affordable to patients.
In Ghana, she said, 2,020 women die every year, adding that every minute everywhere around the world, women die from Breast Cancer because of disparities and the cost of the treatment.
She indicated that, approximately 70 per cent of all cancer deaths occur in low and middle income countries which were least placed to deliver the services needed by people living with cancer or manage the social or economic consequences of the burden.
Dr. Wiafe-Addai explained that, Union International Cancer Control (UICC) World Cancer Day Equity Report, shared a light on the barriers to care and significant disparities in outcomes due to prejudices and assumptions based on socioeconomic status, gender and other cultural norms, race and ethnicity, age, geographical location, sexual orientation and disability.
To further mark the final year of the Close the Care Gap campaign, she said, UICC was mobilising a global call to action that echoes the sentiments and recommendations expressed in the World Cancer Day Equity Report.
She noted that, UICC was encouraging all health organisations to sign the call to action, informing their respective ministries of health of the need to close the care gap and recommended actions that could help do so.
Dr. Samuel Amanama, Consultant Urologist and Sexopathologist, says it was time for the world to unite in the fight against cervical and other gynaecological cancers.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Seek healthcare at facilities where nursing services are available – Ministry of Health
As a result of the ongoing strike action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and
Midwives Association (GRNMA), it has become imperative for the Ministry of
Health to implement additional measures to mitigate any inconvenience that has been caused.
According to the Ministry, in a statement, it has through all appropriate channels, led negotiations to ensure the smooth approval and implementation of the
new Conditions of Service.
Against this backdrop, the statement added that in line with the Ministry’s policy to ensure healthy population for national development, it has become necessary to make provisions to fill the gaps created as a result of the strike.
Consequently, the Ministry has urged the general public to continue seeking healthcare services at various health facilities, including those where nursing services remain available, to ensure their health needs are met.
They Ministry also attached a link of health facilities across the country in the statement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Check the statement below
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MTN, Telecel & AT to increase value of data bundles effective Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The Minister for Communication and Digital Innovation, Sam George, has announced an increase in the value of data bundles by all telecommunication networks in the country.
Speaking at a Meet The Press held today, he said the new directive will take effect from July 1, 2025.
According to him, the implementation date of July 1, is to allow the telcos to recalibrate and reconfigure their systems to reflect the agreed-upon value increases.
He said The new directive will ensure that “AirtelTigo Ghana (AT Ghana): A 10% increase in all data bundles currently offered by the network, additionally, the GH₵400 bundle, which currently offers 195GB, will now offer 236GB.”
Touching on Telecel Ghana, he said, “A 10% increase in data bundles currently offered by the network, their GH₵400 bundle, which currently offers 90GB, will offer 250GB, effective from July 1.”
On MTN Ghana, the minister said, there would be “a 15% increase in all data bundles currently offered by the network and I am pleased to announce the restoration of GH₵399 bundle, which currently has been changed to GH₵350 that offers 92.88GB, will hence be reinstated to 214GB for GH₵399.”
Sam George has also urged the operators to invest in the quality of their network to ensure customers are better served.
He charged the regulator National Communication Authority (NCA) to strictly monitor the changes.
The minister expressed appreciation to the CEOs of the various companies for close collaboration over the last four months.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
