KorleBu Pediatric Oncology Unit receives US$10,000 worth of items

By Grace Princess Tarwo, GNA

Accra, Nov 12, GNA - The Pediatric Oncology Unit of the Korlebu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has received US$10,000 worth of items from the World Child Cancer to improve early detection and management of child cancer in the country.

The items, which were presented on Tuesday included; 50-inch flat screen television and accessories for multidisciplinary meetings, Nitrile gloves, shoe covers, hair covers, disposal gowns, cytotoxic spill kits, disinfectants, methylated spirit, cytotoxic bin liners, mattress covers for parents, needles, disinfecting wipes, gauze, face masks, close system transfer device, roller mixer for dissolving power drug, refill hand sanitizer and patient monitors.

World Child Cancer is a Non-Governmental charity organisation was established in 2007 and aimed at improving access to diagnosis, supportive palliative and potentially curative care for children with cancer around the world.

The organisation made the donation believing that no matter, where a child was born, they deserved equal access to the best treatment and care.

Mr Emmanuel Ayire Adongo, the Regional Coordinator, World Child Cancer, Sub Saharan Africa who presented the items said global statistics showed that 300,000 children developed cancer every year, with majority in low and middle income countries.

He added that an estimated 1,300 Ghanaian children developed cancer every year with about 38 per cent of the number presented for specialist care in the country, thus the NGO was partnering the Pediatric Oncology Unit at the KBTH to develop a Centre of Excellence for the West African Sub region to deal with child cancer cases.

Mr Ayire Adongo however said with funds from UBS Optimus Foundation, DFID Celgene, Tropical Health and education Trust and the British Foreign School Society embarked on other activities which include;, Training of doctors and Nurses on Pediatric Oncology, Capacity building of health professionals and community health workers on early signs and symptoms of child cancer in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

Other projects were; Treatment support for investigations, transport and medications for vulnerable parents and a hospital school project, where teachers from GHS could do attachments to the Pediatric Oncology Unit ward to teach sick children.

Dr William Obeng, a Pediatrician who represented Dr Ali Samba, the Director of Medical Affairs received the items and thanked the NGO for the gesture and efforts to improve early detection and management of child cancer.

Dr Fred Danso, a Pediatric residence appealed to government to include the treatment of child cancer under the National Health Insurance Scheme to help parents who could not afford treatment for the children.

He said risk factors such as; Exposure to cigarette, infections and hepatitis could lead to the ailment and advised parents to report children to the hospital should they detect changes for early treatment.

Some of the items donated would be conveyed to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

GNA

Read Full Story