The Ghana National Gas Company has provided assistance to two breast cancer patients receiving care at the Saint Matins De Porres Hospital (Eikwe Hospital) in the Ellembelle District.
The Medical Director of the Hospital Dr. Paul Cooper, reiterated his concern over the consistently high number of new breast cancer cases the facility receives each month.
He noted that a majority of these patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease.
Eikwe Hospital, a major referral facility in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, serves the three Nzema districts and beyond.
For years, it has provided essential care to countless patients despite a persistent shortage of healthcare professionals. According to the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Paul Cooper, this staffing crisis is largely because many professionals perceive the area as too rural and refuse postings.
Nevertheless, Dr. Cooper reports that in 2024 alone, the hospital successfully performed 2,813 major surgeries.
Amid this achievement, he has issued a call for laboratory assistance to further support the hospital’s critical work.
“The hospital has specialists in various fields. As I mentioned, we performed 2,813 major surgeries in 2024, all of which require a fully equipped operating theatre. To provide a high standard of surgical care, we need essential equipment like patient monitoring machines and anesthesia machines. These tools are vital to ensuring patients receive safe and effective anesthesia.” Dr Cooper mentioned.
Speaking in a sideline interview, Dr. Paul Cooper revealed that many patients in the area fear stigmatization. He added that, despite breast cancer awareness campaigns, some patients still believe that surgeries and other medical interventions will cause or worsen their condition.
These misconceptions, he explained, have contributed to the consistently high number of new breast cancer cases the facility receives each month. He noted that a majority of these patients are not diagnosed until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
“Breast cancer is on the rise. Every month, I see several new patients. Unfortunately, due to stigma, many do not report quickly and only come forward when their condition is already serious.
Furthermore, many patients in rural areas believe that hospital operations and other treatments actually cause their condition to worsen or lead to death. This is completely false. That is why this awareness campaign is so vital—to ensure everyone understands the truth and seeks help early.” Dr Cooper added.
The management of the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC), led by Chief Executive Officer Judith Adwoba Blay, provided an assistance package of twenty thousand cedis to the two breast cancer patients at the Hospital.
According to the CEO, Judith Adwoba Blay, this gesture is part of the President Mahama Initiative, “Mahama Cares.”
She urged all women to be aware of their bodies, adding that breast cancer is real and a universal disease which can happen to anyone.
“Let’s be clear: breast cancer is a universal disease, affecting men and women, rich and poor alike. That is why Ghana Gas has adopted a powerful theme this year: “Every Breast Cancer Story is Unique.” We have seen this firsthand discovering that even the healthcare providers who sacrifice so much to care for others are not immune.
If their stories teach us anything, it is that no one should be overlooked. In this crucial awareness fight, we must stand together and ensure every single person is supported.” She said.
