Roche launches first cancer treatment centre in Cape Coast

Roche, a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, focused on advancing science to improve lives has launched a cancer treatment centre at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) for accessible and effective cancer care in the Region and beyond.

It is the first of three cancer centres to be established by Roche, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to provide and promote effective and efficient cancer care and bring treatment closer to the door steps of people affected with the disease.

The launch coincided with the donation of a cold room for the Hospital to aid proper storage of life saving medication and blood and serum samples.

Mr. Philip Anderson, the Country Manager of Roche, pledged the organisation’s preparedness to work with the Ministry to deliver cancer care at key hospitals across the country with the goal of bridging geographic access barriers to quality cancer care and supporting capacity development and training of health care providers to offer expertise services.

He said access to quality health care for cancer patients was a major concern to Roche, hence its partnership with the Government to improve provision for better care delivery to cancer patients.

Mr Anderson stated that “this was just the beginning of a long journey and we would walk the miles with you to keep providing quality health care and services to improve lives”.

He also promised that Roche would be faithful and remain a willing partner in order to ensure the Hospital had good outcomes of providing not only quality, but affordable health care.

Dr. Eric Kofi Ngyedu, the Chief Executive Officer of the CCTH, said the key driver of the hospital was to partner credible stakeholders to invest and help provide quality cancer services to minimize the harrowing challenges cancer patients go through to access care.

He added that the hospital found it needful to collaborate with Roche to lessen the increased risk of long travels and the physical, emotional and financial plight patients go through.

“I have no doubt that this collaboration is of immense relevance in our quest for radical improvements in training, equipment supply and installation as well as bringing cancer medicines to the door steps of our patients thus helping to improve interventions for diagnosis, treatment and service outcomes”.

The CEO, said the oncology services in the Region would also reduce the burden on the Komfo Anokye and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospitals which are the only facilities providing cancer care services in the Country.

Dr Joel Yarney, a Consultant of Radiation Oncology, said the battle against cancer in the health care sector would soon see a change for the better because the partnership would serve the best interest of patients and care givers.

He said Ghana had a cancer control policy that was geared towards reducing the impact of the disease consisting of measures to detect, prevent, diagnose and provide some comfort for affected persons.

He urged all to desist from self-medication and get to a hospital, report their symptoms and seek proper care.

Ehunabobrim Prah Agyensaim VI , Omanhene of Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area, underscored the importance of the centre, saying it would generally enhance accessibility and affordability in cancer care.

“I know this is a prelude to the vision of establishing a comprehensive oncology centre, we hope these aims would be met and be fruitful for generations” he added.

He urged all to own the initiative and sustain it to become fruitful for the sake of patients in the Region and country as a whole.

Source: GNA