Hematologist and Director of the West Africa Medicine Center at the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Dr Amma Benneh Akwasi-Kuma, has highlighted the high cost of medication for people living with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in Ghana.

According to her, a one-month supply of the medication used by some CML patients can cost about GH¢34,000.

Speaking during the World Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Awareness Day, under the theme “Together We Fight CML, More Awareness, Brighter Together, Dr Benneh explained that the Max Foundation, a US-based organisation, has been supporting CML patients at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital since 2007 by providing medication free of charge and covering shipping costs.

“The cost of one month's supply of this drug is about GH¢34,000. It's about $3,000 for one. We have a foundation in America known as the Max Foundation, and in Korle Bu since 2007, they supply patients free of charge. They do shipping free of charge, so that patients living with CML,” she said.

However, Dr Benneh noted that delays in securing waivers for the medication in other facilities sometimes result in patients running out of their drugs.

She therefore called for greater awareness about CML and urged authorities to expedite waiver requests to prevent patients from being left without their medication.

“Unfortunately, when it comes to other places, because they do not know about CML and about us, sometimes there are delays in getting the waiver. The last time we had to wait for about five months, and the drugs ran out, and patients were without medication, and these are cancer patients.

“So we want to use the day to create awareness about chronic myeloid leukemia, that there are Ghanaians who have chronic myeloid leukemia, and we have patients from all over the country. So we are pleading that when the waiver request comes, we get it done quickly. It is a genuine programme, and we will be able to provide any information that is required,” Dr Benneh added.

She further appealed to the public to end the stigma and gossip surrounding people living with cancer and instead provide them with the support they need.

“If you know somebody is living with cancer, please let's stop the gossip. Let's stop the stigma. Let's rather support them so that they will be able to deal with their challenge, to be able to deal with their disease, so that once they know they have the support, they will not hide,” she added.

During the event, a CML patient who has been on medication for about 20 years also shared her experience, explaining that her diagnosis followed several challenges in identifying the condition.

She explained that she initially had an enlarged spleen but was repeatedly told that her symptoms were related to malaria or were not serious before she was eventually diagnosed with CML.

“But being on this medication for the past 20 years has been a life changer. I have gone through this medication through graduate school, through becoming a doctor, and finally becoming a professor, and I'm still on it, and I will be on it until my full course of life comes and passes,” she said.

She urged people living with CML not to lose hope, stressing that the condition can be managed with appropriate treatment.

“So please note, it is not a death sentence. It doesn't shorten your life in any way. What it actually does is enable you to live a full life,” she added.

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