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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
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
