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Kumasi City Cancer Challenge Initiative Makes Progress

The Kumasi City Cancer Challenge Initiative, under the auspices of the City Cancer Challenge (C/CAN) Foundation is making giant strides in the fight against cancer diseases in Kumasi and beyond.

Date Created : 6/5/2024 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : Susana Danso/Ghanadistricts.com

Initiated in 2018, the Kumasi City Cancer Initiative which is the first city cancer initiative in Africa has stepped forward in health system and care improvements for patients in the city and outside the city.

Since the inception of the cancer initiative, it has increased the chances of survival for childhood cancer patients by bringing timely referrals for suspected cases from 1% to 25%.

Sharing milestones by C/CAN with stakeholders at the C/CAN Achievement Workshop held in Kumasi, Mr. Abubakari Jaliu, and City Manager of Kumasi City Cancer Challenge Initiative stated that “great strides have been made in improving cancer care and streamlining the patient journey from point of diagnosis to treatment in Kumasi.

He was of the view that, with renewed commitment from local stakeholders coupled with support from funders, there would be more progress to come in future.

Significantly, the C/CAN have been able to create a referral network of 24 institutions, training over 120 health professionals on symptom awareness and designing a tailor-made app based on the previous paper referral system.

Other laudable achievements were the procurement of five teaching microscopes, a retrofitted room, and the provision of equipment and training at a Nuclear Medical Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in supporting system-readiness for the operation of specialized SPECT-CT machine.

These, he hinted, has made it possible for patients from Burkina Faso and Togo to access reliable health care on cancers.

Additionally, he disclosed that about 45 surgeons have also received training on improved ways of performing cancer surgeries.

As part of its renewed drive and commitment to improve cancer care in Kumasi, the C/CAN has aimed to scale-up interventions across Ghana, with a focus on the management of breast cancer.

To this end, additional projects would be explored based on the unique needs of community and wider programmes across the C/CAN city network.

These would include; a system readiness project for access to breast cancer oncology medicines in Ghana, and implementation of recommendations from the Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) among other projects.

Also on the bill of C/CAN to improve cancer care, would be expansion of the pediatric referral network to include a further 26 facilities and training of 200 healthcare workers across Ashanti Region.

The Chief Executive Officer of C/CAN Foundation, Mrs Isabel Mestres was enthused about the cross-sector collaboration between stakeholders which has propelled meaningful changes to the health system since inception of the Initiative.

“As we celebrate the remarkable progress made by the City of Kumasi, we stand as an example when all local stakeholders unite to tackle a complex issue, it can have a transformative impact for the city and the people”, she added.

Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General of Ghana Health Service (GHS) commended C/CAN for their achievements thus far, and promised that the GHS would continue to count on stakeholders to fight against cancer and other high prevailing diseases in Ghana.

To him, the fight against cancers was a major concern to the GHS, saying it was ever ready to collaborate with stakeholders both local and foreign to overcome its scare in the country.

The Mayor of Kumasi, Mr. Samuel Pyne also praised C/CAN for their exploit in cancer care in Kumasi.

He commended local stakeholders for their enormous support for the Cancer Initiative, and further praised Project Coordinators for working diligently to complete most of the projects which would help to enhance access to equitable health care in Ghana.