Let NHIS cover prostrate cancer treatment - Oncologist

Kumasi, Aug. 20, GNA - Dr Baffour Awuah, Head of the Oncology Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), has appealed to the government to add the treatment and medication for prostrate cancer to the list of diseases covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He said the average cost for the treatment was over five million cedis, which was expensive for most patients who called at the Hospital and the situation needed to be looked at critically. Dr Awuah said this at the third quarterly rally of the Kumasi Diocesan Association of Methodist Men's Fellowships at Degraft Memorial Methodist Church at Asawasi in Kumasi on Sunday. He was speaking on the topic: "Treatment of Prostrate Cancer". He said in view of the high cost of drugs and treatment, those aged 50 years and above should undergo the specific anti-gene test for early detection since prostrate cancer could be cured depending on how early it was diagnosed or reported to the hospital since its causes were not known.

Dr Awuah said the government established the Ghana Cancer Treatment Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital about 10 years ago, while that of KATH was set up four years and expressed regret that most people did not report to the hospitals until it was too late. He said there were various types of cancers such as lung; kidney, breast and skin cancers and the risk factors were excessive smoking and drinking of alcohol.

Dr Awuah recommended that the fellowship organized yearly screening for the members, while they took fruits and vegetables as part of protective measures.

Mr Asare Yeboah, Kumasi Diocesan Chairman of the Fellowship said the rally was organized for the members to be educated on causes of cancer and how to protect themselves against them. He said the Fellowship would organize periodic screening exercises for its members.