Upper East specialists seek urgent equipment boost as GMTF eases cancer care costs

Medical specialists in the Upper East Region have called for the swift delivery of diagnostic equipment to complement the financial relief provided by the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF).

They say the Fund is helping patients afford specialised treatment, but better-equipped facilities are essential for early diagnosis and effective care, particularly for breast cancer.

The appeal came during an engagement with GMTF management, led by Administrator Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, as part of its nationwide stakeholder consultations.

The Medical Director of the Upper East Regional Hospital, Dr Joseph Kojo Tambil, commended the Fund for supporting several patients at the facility.

He said the assistance relieved families who would otherwise struggle to pay for treatment. Expanding that support, he added, would help more patients with chronic conditions access specialised care.

However, Dr Tambil urged the Fund to expedite the delivery of equipment promised to the hospital, particularly for breast cancer diagnosis.

He said the equipment would strengthen diagnostic services, support early detection and improve treatment outcomes.

A surgeon at the hospital, Dr Victor Dassa, highlighted the emotional and financial burden cancer places on patients and their families.

He said treatment costs could severely strain household finances and prevent some patients from getting the care they need.

Dr Dassa described the Fund as an important intervention for families facing these difficulties and stressed the need for sustained support.

In response, Ms Darko-Opoku acknowledged the additional challenges patients face when they must travel long distances for specialised services.

She said transport costs could compound the difficulties families already face in financing treatment.

The Administrator explained that the Fund’s mandate extended beyond financial assistance. Access to quality care also depended on appropriate infrastructure, diagnostic equipment and specialised services.

She stressed the importance of strengthening facilities in underserved communities to ensure that financial support translated into better patient care.

The consultations aim to identify gaps in specialised healthcare, strengthen partnerships with medical professionals, and tailor the Fund’s interventions to patients' and health facilities' needs.