By Muyid Deen Suleman
Kumasi, Nov. 19, GNA – Wish4Life Foundation, a U.S.A based non-government organisation (NGO) dedicated to the care of children battling with cancer, is to establish a pediatric oncology and International Children’s Cancer Research Centre (ICCRC) at Asikam, in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The facility will serve as a pioneering centre of excellence for cancer treatment, especially for under-privileged children on the African continent.
Dr. Tanya Trippett, Leader of the Foundation, announced this during the donation of various items to the Pediatric Oncology Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), in Kumasi.
According to her, the Foundation has already engaged a humanitarian network of world-class partners including one of the world’s leading architectural firms, Adjaye and Associates, and industry leaders such as Siemens Healthineers, IBA, Elekta, Hoffmann La Roche, Quest Diagnostics, Vanu, Istari Global, and Novartis, to undertake the project.
She stated that this expansive global humanitarian initiative would culminate in the development and establishment of five state-of-the-art cancer centers across the world.
The Asikam project, upon completion, would serve as a center of excellence in cancer care for the African continent.
The aim is to enhance the dignity and elevate the spirits of the children and families undergoing cancer treatment.
Dr. Trippett emphasized that a key focus would be on providing employment opportunities to individuals in the region to bolster the economic ecosystem supporting the hospital and community.
She said the ICCRC would function as a technology hub, contributing to and influencing the economic growth and stability of Ghana, ECOWAS nations, and the broader Sub-Saharan region.
The center, she said would be aligned with the University of Ghana Medical Center to ensure the delivery of high-quality services to children with cancer.
Dr. Lawrence Osei Tutu, a Pediatric Oncologist at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), who received the items on behalf of the Unit, expressed his enthusiasm for the construction of the ICCRC in Ghana.
He highlighted that the center would facilitate prompt cancer treatment in the country, particularly given that the KATH pediatric unit receives approximately 150 child cancer cases annually, placing significant strain on the facility.
Dr. Tutu extended his gratitude to the team from Wish4Life Foundation for their generosity and expressed hope for the timely completion of the ICCRC.
Among the items were toiletries, soaps, detergent, wipers, a cutlery set, bathroom slippers, among others.
Prior to the donation, the Wish4Life Foundation team met with the CEO of KATH to provide an overview of the proposed project.
GNA