In a meeting held last night, doctors from the Upper East Region called on the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) to fast‑track the provision of essential diagnostic equipment, especially for breast cancer, to improve early detection and treatment outcomes.
The specialists praised the Fund for easing the financial burden of specialised medical treatment on patients and their families but stressed that investment in medical equipment is equally vital to maximise the impact of its interventions.
The call came during an evening engagement between GMTF management, led by Adjoa Obuobia Darko‑Opoku, and regional medical specialists as part of the Fund’s nationwide stakeholder consultations.
Dr. Joseph Kojo Tambil, Medical Director of the Upper East Regional Hospital, highlighted the Fund’s contribution to healthcare delivery as remarkable, noting that several patients had already benefited from its support.
He urged the Fund to expedite the delivery of promised equipment, particularly for breast cancer diagnosis, arguing that such tools would enhance the hospital’s diagnostic capacity and support early detection.
Dr. Victor Dassa, a surgeon at the hospital, underscored the emotional and financial toll cancer takes on patients and families, noting that the cost of managing the disease can place enormous pressure on households.
Responding to the concerns, GMTF Administrator Darko‑Opoku acknowledged the challenges confronting patients in the Upper East Region, especially the cost of travelling long distances to access specialised medical services.
She emphasized that the Fund’s mandate goes beyond financial assistance, stressing the importance of strengthening healthcare facilities and providing appropriate infrastructure and diagnostic equipment.
The engagement highlighted the need to match financial relief with stronger diagnostic capacity, particularly in the fight against cancer, so that geography and financial hardship do not stand between patients and quality care.
