Ghana medical specialists urge urgent delivery of cancer diagnostic equipment

Medical specialists in Ghana’s Upper East Region are calling for the rapid delivery of diagnostic equipment to improve healthcare, specifically for breast cancer patients. During stakeholder consultations with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), doctors emphasized that while the Fund’s financial assistance has been vital in helping patients afford specialized treatment, the lack of local machinery hinders effective care.

Dr. Joseph Kojo Tambil, Medical Director of the Upper East Regional Hospital, noted that the GMTF has eased the financial burden on families struggling with chronic conditions. However, he urged the Fund to expedite the delivery of promised equipment to strengthen diagnostic services and support early disease detection. Surgeon Dr. Victor Dassa added that the high cost of cancer treatment often places severe emotional and financial strain on households.

GMTF Administrator Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku acknowledged these challenges, noting that the absence of local specialized services forces patients to travel long distances, which increases the overall financial burden on families. She stated that the Fund’s mandate includes addressing the need for appropriate infrastructure and diagnostic tools to ensure quality care.