German NGO donates cancer drugs to Komfo Anokye hospital

Kumasi (Ashanti Region), 25 Jan. '99 -

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has been presented with drugs valued at 35 million cedis for the treatment of Burkitt Lymphoma, a type of cancer common among children in the country. The drugs were a donation from a German non-governmental organisation (NGO), "Cancer in Africa- Help for Self-help". Burkitt Lymphoma, which starts with a swelling in the face and grows rapidly, has been found to respond well to cytotoxic drugs treatment. Presenting the drugs, Mr Martin J. Wilde, vice-president of the organisation, said it is their aim to support health delivery services in the country, particularly in the area of cancer treatment. The NGO's association with KATH dates back to the early 1980's after a visit to the country by some Germans and in 1989, it helped to build a radiotherapy centre for the hospital. Dr Charles Poku, head of Child Health, KATH, who received the drugs, noted that cancer management is a big health problem in the country due to lack of the requisite facilities. He was, however, happy with the tremendous support from the German NGO which has since February, last year, been supplying cancer drugs free of charge to the Child Health Department of the hospital. Dr Poku explained that, so far, 33 children suffering from the Burkitt Lymphoma had been treated with the NGO's drugs support. He appealed to doctors throughout Ghana to refer patients they suspect of having the cancer to KATH in good time. Mr Albert Asiedu-Offei, Director of Administration of the hospital, appealed to the Germans to extend the assistance to other hospitals in the country. GRi...