The Ministry of Information has donated GH¢10,000 to the Oncology Department of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to support the treatment of men suffering from prostate cancer.

The donation, made in commemoration of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, aims to raise awareness and provide financial assistance to men who are unable to afford the high cost of prostate cancer treatment.

The Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Manager of the Ministry, Madam Alice Zuu, in her remarks at the presentation, stated the importance of early detection and treatment.

“Prostate cancer is affecting a large number of men aged 40 and above, with some even dying from the disease. We hope this donation will help alleviate the financial burden for those who cannot afford treatment,” Madam Zuu stated.

She explained that the Oncology Department at Korle-Bu was selected for the donation because it is one of the few hospitals in Ghana equipped with the necessary machines and specialised doctors to treat prostate cancer.

” We believe that if men receive proper treatment, they will continue to contribute positively to the development of our country,” she added.

Madam Zuu also encouraged men, especially those aged 40 and above, to take prostate cancer screening seriously.

“It is important to visit the hospital for regular checkups. Early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and prevents the spread of the disease.”

She called on corporate institutions and individuals to support prostate cancer education, particularly in rural areas where awareness is low.

“With enough resources, we can extend this education to more hospitals and communities, helping to save lives,” she said.

On her part, the Deputy Director of the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre, Prof. Verna Vanderpuye, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Information for the donation.

She disclosed that prostate cancer, which was once considered an illness affecting older men, is now rampant in men under 40, which she described as disturbing.

She noted that the gesture would help improve the quality of life for many prostate cancer patients.

Prof Vanderpuye called on corporate institutions to emulate the gesture, adding that it would help support efforts by the department to raise awareness and curb the devastating disease.

Source: Ghana Today