Gov’t reaffirms support for breast cancer patients through Ghana Medical Trust Fund

The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Obuobia Darko-Opoku, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting individuals battling non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly breast cancer, which continues to claim thousands of lives each year in Ghana.

Speaking at the Women of Valour event in Accra, Madam Darko-Opoku said the government, through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, is dedicated to providing financial assistance and equitable access to diagnosis and treatment for affected persons across the country.

“Through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, we are committed to providing access to diagnostic tools that save lives through early detection and offering financial support for women and men dealing with these non-communicable diseases, of which breast cancer is one,” she said.

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers among women in Ghana. According to health experts, over 5,000 new cases are recorded annually, with nearly half of those diagnosed losing their lives to the disease.

For survivors, the journey to recovery is marked by emotional distress, financial hardship, and social stigma.

One survivor shared her painful discovery:

“I went for the results, and on my way home in the trotro, I opened the report and saw that it was cancer. That night, I wept,” she recounted.

Another spoke about the fear that followed her diagnosis:

“When it started, I was hopeless. I didn’t know what to do. I just said, ‘God, give me the strength.’”

A third survivor highlighted how the disease affected her livelihood and social life:

“People stopped bringing their clothes for sewing after they heard I had cancer. They said I wasn’t serious because I was often at the hospital.”

Beyond the physical and emotional toll, breast cancer treatment places a heavy financial burden on patients.

“I go for chemotherapy every three weeks, and each session costs about ₵1,500. The radiation alone was almost ₵6,000 for 21 days. If you don’t have money, how can you survive?” one survivor lamented.

Madam Darko-Opoku acknowledged these economic barriers and reaffirmed the government’s determination to enhance access to care by strengthening early detection programs and expanding treatment support under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

She encouraged women to prioritize regular breast screening, emphasizing that early detection remains the most effective weapon against breast cancer.

“Breast cancer can be beaten if detected early. Every woman must make screening a habit — not a choice,” she urged.

With the government’s renewed focus on equitable healthcare access and the ongoing work of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, the fight against breast cancer in Ghana continues — not only to save lives but to restore hope and dignity to survivors nationwide.