Upper East cancer care: GMTF brings hope, specialists seek equipment boost

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) is offering renewed hope to patients battling cancer and other chronic diseases in the Upper East Region, but medical specialists say urgent investment in critical diagnostic equipment is needed to maximise the impact of the intervention.

The specialists have commended the Fund for easing the financial burden of specialised medical treatment on patients and their families, describing its establishment as a timely intervention for people who might otherwise struggle to afford care.

They have, however, called for the prompt provision of medical equipment, particularly for breast cancer diagnosis, to strengthen the region’s capacity to detect diseases early and improve treatment outcomes.

The call was made during an evening engagement between the management of the GMTF, led by Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, and medical specialists in the region as part of the Fund’s efforts to identify healthcare gaps and deepen collaboration with frontline professionals.

For the specialists, the message was clear: financial support can help patients access treatment, but properly equipped health facilities are equally essential to ensuring that patients receive timely and effective care.

The Medical Director of the Upper East Regional Hospital, Dr. Joseph Kojo Tambil, described the Fund’s contribution to healthcare delivery as remarkable, attributing its progress to hard work and commitment.

He said the hospital had already benefited from the Fund’s support for several patients, providing relief to individuals and families who would otherwise face considerable difficulty paying for treatment.

Dr. Tambil expressed appreciation for the intervention, saying its continued expansion would enable more patients with chronic conditions to access the specialised care they needed.

He nevertheless appealed to the Fund to expedite the delivery of medical equipment promised to the hospital, particularly equipment for breast cancer diagnosis.

He said the equipment would enhance the hospital’s diagnostic capacity, support early detection and improve the prospects of better treatment outcomes for patients.

The appeal highlights the importance of strengthening healthcare facilities in the region so that patients can benefit not only from financial assistance but also from the diagnostic services required to guide their treatment.

A surgeon at the hospital, Dr. Victor Dassa, drew attention to the emotional and financial toll cancer takes on patients and their families.

He said the cost of managing the disease could place enormous pressure on households, making it difficult for some patients to obtain the treatment they urgently needed.

Dr. Dassa described the establishment of the GMTF as an important intervention for families facing such difficulties, reinforcing the need for sustained support for patients with chronic illnesses.

Responding to the concerns, the GMTF Administrator, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, acknowledged the particular challenges confronting patients in the Upper East Region, especially the cost of travelling long distances to access specialised medical services.

She noted that transportation expenses could deepen the financial difficulties of families already struggling to pay for treatment.

According to her, the Fund’s mandate goes beyond providing financial assistance to patients, as access to quality healthcare also depends on the availability of appropriate infrastructure, diagnostic equipment and specialised services.

She stressed that strengthening healthcare facilities, particularly in underserved communities, was essential to ensuring that financial support translated into meaningful improvements in patient care.

The engagement formed part of the GMTF’s nationwide stakeholder consultations to identify gaps in specialised healthcare delivery, strengthen partnerships with medical professionals, and ensure that its interventions respond to the needs of patients and health facilities.

The Upper East engagement has brought into focus the need to match financial relief with stronger diagnostic capacity, particularly in the fight against cancer.

For patients and families in the region, improved equipment and sustained support from the GMTF could mean earlier diagnosis, fewer costly journeys in search of specialised services and better access to the care they need.

The ultimate goal, the engagement underscored, is to ensure that geography and financial hardship do not stand between patients and the opportunity to receive quality healthcare.

Also read:

• GMTF seeks stakeholder support to improve healthcare in Northern Region

• GMTF extends healthcare campaign to Northern, Upper East regions