Ghana: Nestlé Ghana and Roche Launch Cancer  Care Programme

Director of the National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Professor Joel Yarney, has underscored the importance of a positive attitude toward constant screening to effectively address non-communicable diseases, particularly cancers. 

Speaking at the launch of the Nestlé Ghana and Roche cancer care programme, he stressed that non-communicable diseases often take time to manifest and lack infectious agents, making regular screening crucial for early detection and prevention of severe outcomes.

“There should be a paradigm shift in our minds so that we have a different approach to dealing with non-communicable diseases – and that approach is screening. If you don’t screen, you cannot detect the disease early,” Professor Yarney emphasized. He highlighted that most breast cancer cases at the hospital are diagnosed at stage three, indicating a need for more effective management.

Professor Yarney advocated for year-round cancer care preventive actions at district hospitals with support from community nurses, rather than relying on ad-hoc measures like Pink October celebrations. “Pink October should be a climax at the national level – but in between, all year round, we should have community health nurses going into the villages to talk about cancer and do what examinations that can be done,” he suggested.

The Nestlé Ghana and Roche cancer care initiative, launched to provide holistic care and support services for Nestlé employees and their dependents diagnosed with cancer, reflects the companies’ genuine concern for non-communicable disease care. 

Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana Limited, Georgios Badaro, described the initiative as a beacon of hope for those affected by this challenging illness. Human Resource Director for Nestlé Central & West Africa Region, Antoinette Arkoh, highlighted the programme’s potential to address barriers to cancer care and its goal to replicate the initiative in the Central and West Africa Region.

The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Giger, praised the partnership between Nestlé Ghana and Roche, urging other companies to follow their example. Dr. Kgothatso Motumi, Country Manager for Roche Ghana, emphasized the collective responsibility in the fight against cancer, particularly in minimizing lives lost to the disease among women.

Mr. Badaro and Ms. Arkoh encouraged employees to utilize the services provided by the programme and participate in screening and education sessions actively. “To our employees, I urge you to take responsibility for your health by participating in the education and screening programmes we provide,” Mr. Badaro noted.

This initiative, developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals and cancer specialists, forms part of the comprehensive NesCare programme aimed at controlling non-communicable diseases and enhancing the health of staff and their dependents.