Breast Care International (BCI) has raised concerns about the increasing prices of cancer drugs in Ghana, attributing the high import levies as the main cause. The organization has highlighted the impact of these costs on patients, many of whom struggle to afford essential treatment.
According to data from the Ghana Health Service, the country records over 24,000 new cancer cases each year, with 15,802 deaths reported in 2020 alone. The most common cancers include breast, cervical, prostate, and liver cancer.
During a World Cancer Day event on February 4, 2024, at Straightway Chapel International in Kumasi, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, President of BCI, emphasized the devastating consequences of inflated medication costs, linking them to the loss of thousands of lives annually. Dr. Wiafe-Addai urged authorities to remove import levies on cancer drugs and called for exemptions for these medications entering the country, stating that any imported drug for cancer treatment should be duty-free.
She also advocated for the elimination of duties on donated drugs and medical supplies intended for health institutions, questioning why duties should be paid on donated drugs when they are meant to be given to clinics and hospitals.
In addition to these demands, Dr. Wiafe-Addai stressed the importance of integrating cancer education into the curriculum for nursing students and providing comprehensive training to equip them with the necessary skills to competently manage cancer cases.
Responding to the issue, Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah acknowledged the challenge of granting tax waivers on medical supplies, noting that some organizations illicitly sell these items on the open market, resulting in revenue loss for the state. He also recognized the importance of early cancer screening as a preventive measure.
Rev. Dr. Ahmed Adjei, General Overseer of Straightway Chapel International, commended BCI for its commitment to combating cancer and urged fellow pastors to refrain from solely relying on prayers to treat members, warning that such practices could worsen patients’ conditions.
BCI’s call for support underscores the urgent need to address the financial barriers obstructing cancer patients’ access to life-saving medications in Ghana.
