Screening key to combatting non-communicable diseases – expert

…as Nestlé, Roche launches cancer care programme

By Deborah Asantewaah SARFO

Director-National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Professor Joel Yarney has emphasised that individuals developing a positive attitude toward constant screening is the right approach to deal with non-communicable diseases.

He elaborated that non-communicable diseases – focusing on cancers – do not have any infectious agents and take a while to manifest; hence, he maintained that it is appropriate for individuals to prioritise screening, catch disease early and avoid dire consequences.

“There should be a paradigm-shift in our minds so that we have a different approach to dealing with non-communicable diseases – and that approach is screening. If you don’t screen, you cannot detect the disease early,” he emphasised.

He made this call while speaking at the Nestlé Ghana and Roche cancer care programme launch, aimed at providing holistic care and support services for Nestlé employees and their dependants in Ghana diagnosed with cancer.

Per his observation from the last 20 years of working in the system, the majority of breast cancer cases brought to the hospital come at stage-three; and this trend, according to him, signifies that the issue is not being handled effectively.

Therefore, he proposed that instead of adopting “ad-hoc measures” such as Pink October and other celebrations, cancer-care preventive actions should be done all year round at the various district hospitals with support from community nurses.

“So, Pink October should be a climax at the national level – but in between, all year round, we should have community health nurses going into the villages to talk about cancer and do what examinations that can be done. We can start at a lower level, using our hands for breast examination, Later, we can introduce mammograms and other equipment that can help us diagnose it early,” he suggested.

Touching on the Nestlé and Roche cancer care initiative, Managing Director-Nestlé Ghana Limited, Georgios Badaro, described it as a true reflection of their genuine concern to ensure holistic non-communicable disease care for the Nestlé family.

He noted that in their commitment to offer financial support for this course, they aim at being a beacon of hope for those affected by this difficult illness.

For her part, Human Resource Director-Nestlé Central & West Africa Region, Antionette Arkoh, described the initiative as instrumental in addressing barriers to cancer care – which they hope to replicate in the Central and West Africa Region.

She assured workers of the company’s commitment to support and offer needed care for them and their dependents; emphasising that they are “proactively working to ensure that no Nestlé family faces these cancer-related challenges alone”.

The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Giger, expressed her excitement about this partnership between the two Swiss companies and applauded them for the initiative, urging other companies to emulate the steps of Nestlé Ghana and Roche.

Dr. Kgothatso Motumi, Country Manager-Roche Ghana, commended Nestlé Ghana for their partnership and stressed that the cancer fight is not a single man or woman’s duty but a collective one – ensuring that lives lost to cancer, especially women, are minimised.

Mr. Badaro and Ms. Arkoh urged employees to utilise services from the programme and actively participate in screening and education sessions.

“To our employees, I urge you to take responsibility for your health by participating in the education and screening programmes we provide,” Mr.  Badaro noted.

The initiative, developed in conjunction with healthcare professionals and cancer specialists, forms part of the comprehensive NesCare programme designed to efficiently control non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and enhance the health of staff and their dependents.

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