Ghana and many African countries continue to suffer brain drain which has worsened in recent times.
Thousands of experienced Nurses and Doctors have left the shores of Ghana to Europe for greener pastures threatening quality healthcare delivery in the country.
However, a $250 million 100 bed capacity International Children’s Cancer Research Centre (ICCRC) to be established at Akyem Asikam near Kyebi in Eastern region of Ghana is expected to change the narrative by rather attracting specialists clinicians from diaspora to transfer knowledge to local doctors and nurses , implement various incentives to retain them in Ghana to deliver advent precision cancer treatment for the sub-region.
Cancer is diagnosed in about 160,000 children under 15 years worldwide. Sadly, 90,000 lose their lives.
Over 18 percent of these children are in Africa.
In Ghana 1,300 children are diagnosed with cancer with most at an advanced stage.
Childhood cancer is curable however, due to lack of advanced medical technologies and poverty of parents many of these children lose their lives.
The multimillion dollar International Children’s Cancer Research Centre (ICCRC) to be funded by Wish4Life Foundation with a community of corporate partners will be the first Children’s Cancer Centre in Africa .
The nonprofit medical facility will comprise a 100-bed capacity with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and therapeutic equipment, educational facilities, residential lodging facilities for patients and their families and medical staff, and a chapel.
At a brief sod- cutting ceremony, founder of Wish4Life Foundation, Dr. Tanya Maria Trippett, said the Center will become a center of excellence for cancer treatment and research for children in Ghana and Africa at large.
She stated that over a thousand jobs will be created by the facility stating that various incentives similar to conditions of service in Europe will be implemented to retain expert clinicians and workers employed.
Rob Fleming ,Project Manager explained that geological work is ongoing at the site but the project will officially start in May/April 2024 and expected to be completed by middle of 2026.
Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin who performed the sod- cutting ceremony was sad that African Children are not getting the best of healthcare hence dying of curable diseases.
He was therefore elated for the medical project which will save the lives of children diagnosed of various cancers.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
