News
Dispel superstition, stigmatisation about breast cancer …families,friends of survivors told
● Madam Abudu
A breast cancer survivor, Madam Atika Abudu, has asked family members and friends to support breast cancer patients to help them cope with the disease treatment and management.
According to Madam Atika, the lack or limited support from family and friends could also lead to emotional distress among breast cancer patients.
She said this in an interview with The Spectator in Accra during the lunch of Breast Society of Ghana (BSoG), a fortnight ago.
The 38-year old Midwife at the Nyankpala Health Center in the Tolon District of the Northern region said some family members believe that this illness was punishment from supernatural forces or curses, hence the lack of support.
She said being diagnosed of the disease can affect one’s mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
She said the support could be in the form of finance, privacy, emotional and psychological, adding that such support helps promote understanding and empathy for breast cancer patients.
Madam Abudu said it also boosts confidence, fights stigmatisation and helps the patient receive timely and appropriate medical care.
She said when she was diagnosed of the disease, her family initially expressed shock, concern, and fear, adding that her husband was concerned about the impact on their family’s reputation and future.
Madam Abudu said “till date my family never believed it was cancer.”
Madam Abudu called on health authorities to raise awareness, improve healthcare access, and help dispel superstitions and stigmatisation of the disease especially in the Northern region.
She also urged government to provide a mammogram machine for the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) as patients would spend huge sums of money to travel to Kumasi or Accra to have their mammogram sessions.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
News
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
News
Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
