A sod-cutting ceremony has been held for a 40-bed paediatric oncology ward construction to begin.
The ward, which is estimated at Ghc13.6million, is expected to be completed within a year. The project is being led by Lifeline for Childhood Cancers, with support from Enterprise Group, Ghacem, Domod Roofing Systems, Acacia, among others.
The Chief Executive of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, could not hide his delight for the project.
“This has been long coming, but I am still delighted that this project is starting under my leadership”.
He was grateful to the medical professionals and various organisations who have supported the treatment of cancer.
“The quality of every society is determined by how we treat the vulnerable, and it takes special people to recognise and do this”, Dr. Ampomah said.
He praised the children undergoing treatment, assuring them that the Hospital will do its best to ease their pain as they go through treatment.
“We are thankful for 100 years of providing care at the apex, but it also means there are challenges. We will, however, continue to strive to provide the best for our patients because Korle Bu has the men”, Dr. Ampomah added.
The head of the Paediatric Oncology Unit, Prof Lorna Awo Renner was thankful for the inroads made in cancer care.
She noted that cancer treatment for children started in 1962 without a ward, and she was grateful that now the Unit has a ward and this has improved the quality of care for the patients.
She disclosed that the survival rate of the patients had improved tremendously. She said the survival rate was now 50 percent and the target was to increase it to 70 percent.
She, however, noted that there was the need to have a separate ward to enable better treatment and adequate supportive care to such children.
The construction of the three-storey ward has therefore come at a good time, and she was hopeful of support to ensure its completion on time.
She thanked Lifeline for Childhood Cancers, led by Mrs. Akua Sarpong, for their persistence and hardwork in getting financial support for the project.
Prof. Renner called on other individuals and corporate entities to come on board and finance the project.
The Executive Director of Lifeline for Childhood Cancers, Mrs. Akua Sarpong noted that since the inception of her organization five years ago, it had supported about 836 children in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
She said the organization mobilises funds from various sources to assist such children. She was grateful to the Hospital for supporting this project and was hopeful the building will be completed on time.
Mrs Sarpong called on anybody who is in a capacity to support the building to do so to enable more children to be attended to in comfort.
The three-storey Paediatric Oncology Ward is being constructed by Tecton. The building, when completed, will have consulting rooms, cafeteria, playing room, wards, changing and treatment rooms.
