Member of Parliament for Nanton and a Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Dr. Mohammed Sherif Abdul-Khaliq, has called for urgent investment in health infrastructure and essential equipment to improve the fight against breast cancer and other non-communicable diseases in Ghana.
Speaking to the media at the launch of Pinktober 2025 in Accra, on Thursday, September 26, under the theme “Detect it early, treat it right, survive it,” Dr. Abdul-Khaliq said the Committee has toured major hospitals across the regions and documented significant challenges.
“Our responsibility as a Committee has taken us around the major hospitals. We have seen the challenges they face in terms of infrastructure and equipment, and we are putting together a report that will be presented to the sector minister,” he disclosed.
He noted that while the government has initiated steps to acquire equipment and complete facilities under the Agenda 111 project, gaps remain.
“We just have about three radiotherapy units in this country. That is woefully inadequate for a population of over 30 million people, especially when about 5,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and nearly 2,000 die,” Dr. Abdul-Khaliq stressed.
He explained that in the short term, referrals remain the only option for many patients, but insisted that a stronger focus on prevention and early detection through a robust primary healthcare system is essential.
“The ordinary Ghanaian should not struggle or suffer when looking for healthcare. Once the primary healthcare policy comes into full effect, we will detect diseases early, treat them well, and ensure our people survive,” he added.
Dr. Abdul-Khaliq also pointed to policies such as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and the Mahama Care initiative, which he said will help bridge financial gaps and make treatment more accessible for patients battling non-communicable diseases.
He called for a holistic national plan saying “As a country, we must decide right from the primary level through to regional and teaching hospitals to establish specific centres that will provide comprehensive cancer care. That is how we will change the narrative.”
Source:Citi News
