Otumfuo’sHiahene, Nana Professor Oheneba Boakye Adjei Owoahene, Chairman of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (OOTII) foundation, has cut the sod on behalf of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for work to begin on the construction of a comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence at Kwaso near Kumasi.
The facility is named after the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The Hiahene noted Breast Care International (BCI), with the collaboration effort from the Global Health Catalyst Summit, USA and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II foundation has taken the bold initiative to establish Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence (CCCOE) at an estimated cost of $100 million.
CCCOE is an internationally recognised and multiple award-winning breast cancer specialists, working primarily in Ghana and Africa,
He said the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence (CCCOE) to be built in phases, would provide the much-needed dedicated facility for cancer care, prevention, awareness creation, diagnostics, screening, treatment, research, training, education, telemedicine, Al Hub, Palliative care and rehabilitation including survivorship, for all cancers.
Phase One, estimated at a cost of $10 million, commences as soon as possible.
Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Love Hospitals and President and Founder of the Breast Care International (BCI) said Ghana, like many other developing nations, faced a rising incidence of cancer, placing a severe strain on existing healthcare infrastructures.
Mrs. Dr. Wiafe Addai, who is also a member of Global Health Catalyst (GHCS) and a Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence (CCCOE), bemoaned the lack of a dedicated facility for cancer education, prevention, screening diagnosis, treatment, training and research.
She noted that challenges faced by patients and healthcare professionals became a compelling case for the establishment of a stand-one strip comprehensive cancer centre of Excellence to address the growing burden of the disease.
