BCI organizes oncology training for nurses

BCI

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Kumasi, March 14, GNA - A three-day collaborative oncology (cancer) training programme  to  equip 60 nurses selected from more than 45 health facilities across the country for efficient management of breast and other cancers has opened at the Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi.

It is being organized by Breast Care International (BCI) of Ghana, National Cancer Coalition (NCC) of United States and Krebsallianz of Germany  

The goal is to aid the trainees to better carry out health education in their communities on the prevention of certain types of cancers in the absence of specialized oncology nursing school in the country.

Additionally, they are expected to encourage people to undertake self-detection of some type of cancers, early detection and how and when to refer suspected cases to the appropriate health institutions.

Professor Mrs Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman, the Minister of Education, appealed to parents to be cautious with the food they give their children and reduce the intake of sugar, salt, canned and other processed foods.

She called for more emphasis to be put on the prevention of the disease - helping women to identify the risk factors and to seek early treatment.

Mr Samuel Sarpong, out-going Ashanti Regional Minister, praised BCI for waging relentless war against breast and other cancers and said the collaboration between BCI, NCC and other partners by way of the provision of drugs to treat cancers was most commendable.

He said the on-going training programme was a further demonstration of the seriousness that the BCI and its partners attached to the prevention and treatment of the disease.

Mr Sarpong pledged government's support to the initiative and appealed to the private sector and NGOs to support BCI to reach out to many people, especially in deprived and hard-to-reach areas.

Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Chief Executive Officer of BCI, said her organization had since year 2009 received medical donations worth over US million from the NCC and Krebsallianz for distribution to public and private health facilities in Ghana.

Dr Tom Roane, Vice President of NCC, said the training programme was to assist the participants to acquire knowledge and skills to detect the disease early enough to save lives.

Forever Easy Company of Ghana, producers of sanitary pads, is supporting the training programme with GH¢ 17,000.00. Other sponsors are ANDYSARP Company, Pfizer Ghana, Roche, Cedar Point Chemist and Rock Chemist.

 
 
 
 
 
GNA