Africa-Press – Liberia. Participants from the Launch of the Oncology Unit at John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital Posed for Picture at the Entrance of the Oncology Center
The John F. Kennedy (JFK) Medical Hospital has opened an Oncology Unit to treat people, mostly women, from breast cancer and other forms of cancer.
Oncology is the field of medicine that studies, diagnoses, treats, and prevents cancer. It includes a wide range of medical specialties, such as surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, and pediatric oncology, all of which are devoted to studying and managing various aspects of cancer.
The initiative is being sponsored by Orange Liberia GSM Company. The launch of the Oncology Unit that was held at the JFK Medical Hospital Conference Hall brought together several health practitioners and members of the Legislature including House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
Speaking, the former Executive Director of Orange Liberia Foundation Sara E. Buchannan narrated that as part of her company’s social service program, Orange Liberia undertook a breast cancer awareness campaign across the country to strengthen the fight against cancer.
“Orange Foundation decided to start with awareness about breast cancer and cancer in Liberia. From there, we went on to say not just to talk about cancer, let see whether we can try to get people diagnosed,” Madam Buchannan said.
According to her, Orange Liberia supported a local Non-government Organization to stream over five thousand women in three of Liberia’s 15 counties for breast cancer and other forms of cancer.
She added: “We say not that we have gone through the stage of awareness, we have gone to streaming and diagnosis, what else can we do? This year we also include funds because now that we have diagnosed these women and say this is what you have but then they do not have money to treat themselves.”
Madam Buchannan continues: “So, Orange Foundation took a step further to advocate for funds to help some of these underprivileged women who are now diagnosed with cancer and this is going to be sustainable.”
Also speaking, the lead Oncologist and brain behind the project Dr. Dedeh Supuwood said the cancer care in Liberia has been downplayed for several years.
She named the lack of awareness, diagnosis, designated facility and training capacity as some of the key factors that are hampering the fight against cancer in the country.
“With this Oncology Unit, we look to see and have more survival of cancer. We will not only be able to treat more patients, but we will be able to carry out more awareness. It is a small unit in the hospital, but I see a gateway to having the best Oncology Center in West Africa,” Dr. Supuwood said.
She added: “I see a center that will provide state of the art Oncology services. I see a center that will be so equipped that our relatives and friends will have access to the best healthcare and will not need to travel outside for treatment unless it is necessary. I see a center where we will conduct scientific research.”
Dr. Supuwood continues: “So, as we dedicate this center today, bear in mind that this is just the beginning, please do not sleep on us because we are coming back for more support to continue the fight against cancer.”
Also, for his part, the Speaker of the House of Representative praised Orange Liberia for their support and appreciated health workers for the sacrifices they are making to improve the health sector.
He told the gathering that upon examining the budget, he was told by President Joseph Boakai not to cut any funds in the health budget and that of the education budget.
“The thing is nothing is cut from healthcare. So, you have additional money in your sector. You want money for more cancer drugs, the money is there. It is left with you on how you spent it and we will do the oversight,” Speaker Koffa said.
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