MTN Ghana Donates GH¢52,300 to Korle-Bu Breast Care Unit

As part of its 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness Month “We Care” Initiative, MTN Ghana has donated GH¢52,300 to the Breast Care Unit at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. This contribution aims to enhance patient care and improve breast cancer treatment facilities.

Corporate Commitment to Wellness
During the donation ceremony, MTN Ghana’s Acting Chief Human Resources Officer, Naa Latiorkor Senah, reiterated the company’s dedication to improving the health of Ghanaians.

“Wellness is central to our mission at MTN. Each year, we undertake health initiatives, with breast cancer awareness being a flagship program.

This year’s donation was made possible through contributions from our Women in Technology Cohort 3 group, our credit union, the MTN Foundation, and individual employees. This collective effort underscores our unwavering commitment to this cause,” Ms. Senah stated.

She assured the public that MTN would monitor the effective use of the funds, emphasizing their focus on health through partnerships and impact evaluations.

Advocating for Early Detection
Ms. Senah highlighted the importance of early detection, revealing alarming statistics provided by the unit’s medical team.

“Nearly 80% of patients seek care at late stages of breast cancer. This is deeply concerning. Regular screenings are crucial because early detection can save lives. Let’s make it a priority,” she urged.

She also appealed to organizations and individuals to support the unit, citing high treatment costs and pressing resource needs.

“This donation is a shared effort among management, employees, and partners. We invite others to join us in empowering the Korle-Bu Breast Care Unit to serve more patients,” she concluded.

Challenges at the Breast Care Unit
Receiving the donation, Dr. Maurice Dordunoo, a Specialist Surgeon at the unit, expressed gratitude to MTN for its consistent support.

He detailed the financial strain many patients face, particularly when managing severe side effects like febrile neutropenia.

“Advanced diagnostic tests like CT scans, costing about GH¢3,000, quickly deplete resources. While the NHIS offers some relief, it doesn’t cover everything, forcing patients to pay out of pocket. For those unable to pay, care becomes inadequate,” he explained.

Dr. Dordunoo also highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades, particularly modern, automated hospital beds to replace outdated, immobile ones.

“Our current beds make it challenging to care for patients in respiratory distress. We appeal to organizations and philanthropists to help us acquire critical equipment,” he said.

Amplifying the Call for Early Detection
Dr. Dordunoo emphasized the need for early detection to reduce breast cancer fatalities.

“It’s heartbreaking to see patients arrive with advanced conditions—paralysis, jaundice, or metastasis to vital organs. At that stage, we can only provide palliative care. Early detection saves lives,” he stressed.

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Sharing a success story of a patient who has survived for 28 years due to timely treatment, he called for intensified awareness campaigns and resource mobilization.

A Call for Collective Action
Dr. Dordunoo likened his appeal to Oliver Twist’s plea for “more,” emphasizing that every donation directly impacts patient care.

“We are deeply grateful for MTN’s support, but the needs remain overwhelming. Together, we can save lives and improve the quality of care for breast cancer patients. Every cedi donated makes a difference,” he said.

MTN Ghana’s contribution serves as a rallying call for collective action to enhance breast cancer care and advocacy in Ghana.

Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo