New cancer treatment centre opens in Accra

The front view of the Cancer Centre

A cancer medical centre to provide specialised cancer treatment has been inaugurated by the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, in Accra.

The Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre (SGMC), located at Adjiringano, East Legon Hills in Accra, will offer radiotherapy (the use of radiation to cure cancer) and chemotherapy (the use of surgery for cancer treatment) services.

Mr Mahama, former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Lady Julia, the wife of the Asantehene, jointly cut the tape to open the centre.

The project was financed by Global Medical Investments of Sweden and some Ghanaians investors.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Mahama said apart from malaria, hypertension and other chronic diseases, cancer was one of the leading diseases in Ghana.

He mentioned breast cancer and prostate cancer as some of the cancer diseases in the country.

He attributed the rise of cancer cases in the country to the change in lifestyles.

Regrettably, he said, only the Korle-Bu and the Komfo Anokye Teaching hospitals had cancer treatment centres in the country. He was therefore, hopeful that the establishment of the SGMC would contribute significantly towards cancer treatment in the country.

Additionally, cancer patients within and outside the West African sub-region could receive treatment there.

The Chief Executive Officer of the SGMC, Mr Thomas Pollare, said the centre would use modern equipment to ensure early detection and treatment of cancers.

He, therefore, urged the public to check their status to ensure early detection and treatment of cancer.

The Board Chairman of the SGMC, Mr Henry Broni, expressed worry that people continued to suffer from cancer owing to ignorance.