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Direct Relief applauds Breast Care International for lifesaving medical support in Ghana

Global humanitarian organization Direct Relief has praised Breast Care International (BCI) and its partner, Peace and Love Hospitals, for their outstanding efforts in distributing medical supplies to underserved communities across Ghana.

As one of Direct Relief’s most trusted partners worldwide, BCI has played a crucial role in ensuring that lifesaving medicines and equipment reach facilities in need, particularly those treating breast cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Direct Relief has long supported Ghana’s healthcare sector through medical donations made possible by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BCI. Hospitals benefiting from this partnership include Tafo Government Hospital, Kokofu Hospital, Ankaase Government Hospital, Bunkurugu Yooyo Government Hospital, Trinity Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, Ankaful CHPS Compound, among others.

The donations have significantly alleviated the burden on patients who cannot afford critical medication and treatment services. Many beneficiaries suffer from chronic conditions that require ongoing care, making the initiative a lifeline for thousands.

In a visit, the newly appointed CEO of Direct Relief, Amy Weaver, made Ghana her first international stop since assuming office just two months ago. Accompanied by Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, Weaver toured several facilities that have received support through the partnership.

Her delegation visited hospitals in Kokofu and Tafo, where she expressed deep satisfaction with the on-the-ground impact of Direct Relief’s donations.

“I’m very satisfied with what I’ve seen. From the very first day I took over as CEO, I began hearing about Breast Care International and Ghana. We work in 92 countries, and I chose Ghana as my first visit because of the exemplary work being done here,” said Weaver.

She emphasized the importance of early detection and regular screening in the fight against breast cancer, especially for young girls, mothers, and grandmothers, noting that Ghana is making significant strides in combating the disease.

Weaver also acknowledged Direct Relief’s long-standing collaboration with top Ghanaian institutions such as Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and expressed the organization’s intent to deepen these relationships to improve access to care.

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe-Addai conveyed appreciation to Weaver and her team for recognizing Ghana among more than 90 partner countries.

“It means a lot that they came to see for themselves the vital work happening in our hospitals. The support from Direct Relief is invaluable—it makes treatment possible for many patients who would otherwise go without,” Dr. Wiafe-Addai stated.

She stressed the need to expand partnerships to reach more facilities and communities across the country, especially those facing the greatest healthcare challenges.

Beyond the hospital visits, the Direct Relief team also interacted with students at Ejisuman Senior High School, met with the Chief of Kokofu, and listened to testimonies from breast cancer survivors in the Ashanti Region.

Healthcare managers at beneficiary hospitals praised Direct Relief for its commitment to easing the burden on Ghana’s healthcare system and improving patient outcomes.

“Everywhere we went, people expressed deep appreciation. The medicines we receive are not just supplies they’re hope,” Dr. Wiafe-Addai affirmed.

Evacuate our members from conflict zone – GRNMA appeals to gov’t

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has appealed to the government to evacuate its members from conflict-prone areas in the Bawku Municipality, citing worsening insecurity and direct threats to the lives of healthcare professionals.

Speaking to Adom News, GRNMA President, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, urged the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities to act swiftly to ensure the safety of health workers deployed in the area.

“There are some members, health workers, whose lives are in danger. We are calling on our employer, the government, and the Ministry of Health to consider moving our members, particularly those who do not reside in Bawku but are there due to duty, out of the area for their safety,” Ofori-Ampofo stated.

Her call comes amid a recent surge in violence in the Upper East Region, where ethnic clashes and sporadic gunfire have claimed civilian lives. In one tragic incident, two students from Nalerigu Senior High School were shot, an act believed to be linked to the ongoing unrest.

Echoing GRNMA’s concerns, the Pre-tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) has also appealed for the immediate evacuation of teachers stationed in affected areas.

Kingsley Anyimadu, National Communications Director of PRETAG, commended the government for initiating the evacuation of students over the weekend but emphasized that teachers and other personnel also require urgent attention.

“We appreciate the government’s directive to evacuate learners. However, the situation remains dire. Government must act now to evacuate our teachers as well,” Anyimadu stated. “We urge our members in these areas to remain calm as we work closely with the security agencies to ensure a safe evacuation.”

‘COA-72 not approved by FDA for HIV clinical trials’ – Manufacturer corrects misleading reports

COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company (COARMLC) has refuted claims suggesting that its product, COA-72, is undergoing clinical trials as an anti-HIV drug.

The company says the widely circulated report, published by the Daily Graphic on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, was inaccurate and did not reflect the facts shared during a recent visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to its facilities.

In a statement signed by management and released on Monday, July 28, 2025, COARMLC described the media coverage as misleading and reiterated its commitment to upholding scientific truth, regulatory procedures, and honest communication with the Ghanaian public and global partners.

“The publication misrepresented our position. Nowhere did we state that COA-72 is in active clinical trials for HIV treatment,” the company stressed. “We are compelled to issue this clarification to prevent the public from being misled and to reaffirm our integrity as a science-driven institution.”

The controversy stems from a working visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to COARMLC’s facilities on Monday, July 14, 2025.

While the engagement was meant to showcase ongoing research initiatives, COARMLC says a Daily Graphic article wrongly interpreted the interaction to suggest that COA-72 had entered official clinical trial stages.

Following the publication, COARMLC promptly contacted Daily Graphic, leading to a rejoinder published on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana also stepped in, issuing a disclaimer confirming that no clinical trial on COA-72 for HIV treatment had been approved, further validating COARMLC’s position.

“We commend the FDA for their swift response in correcting the public narrative,” the statement read.

The company further clarified that its founder and CEO, Mr. Samuel Ato Duncan, shared his long-standing vision of finding a natural solution to HIV during the committee’s visit.

“On November 30, 2005, Mr. Duncan publicly committed to researching a natural cure for HIV. That dream has informed nearly two decades of plant-based pharmaceutical work,” the company explained.

This research has birthed several products: COA Mixture, COA Plus, COA-MT, and COA Capsules, but none of these, nor COA-72, are currently approved for HIV treatment.

COARMLC said COA-72 is a new formulation that has shown encouraging potential in pre-clinical and internal studies.

According to the company, COA-72 may possess antiviral and anticancer properties, but it has not entered formal, FDA-sanctioned clinical trials.

“At no time did we state that COA-72 is undergoing FDA-approved clinical trials. What we did do was introduce the product as a promising development and appeal for support to begin formal investigations,” the statement emphasised.

The company estimates that if COA-72 proves successful through official trials, it could contribute as much as $76.8 billion annually to Ghana’s economy and create thousands of jobs.

In 2019, COARMLC formally applied to the FDA to initiate clinical trials on COA-72. The application was acknowledged via a letter dated October 29, 2019, under reference FDA/SMC/CTD/CTA/19/0059, which outlined the prerequisites for initiating clinical testing. However, the company has yet to meet all the conditions required to proceed.

“Though preliminary studies, both local and international, have yielded promising results such as HIV viral load reduction and, in some cases, viral clearance, these outcomes must not be misconstrued as clinical evidence,” COARMLC said. “They do not replace the need for formal FDA-approved clinical research.”

Reaffirming its commitment, COARMLC stressed that it is aligned with all regulatory bodies and international best practices. “We remain dedicated to working with the FDA, WHO, and qualified research institutions to advance COA-72 responsibly. Public trust and regulatory compliance are not optional; they are non-negotiable,” the company concluded.

COARMLC expressed regret over any public confusion caused by the misreporting and called for responsible journalism moving forward.

UGMC conducts its first Laparoscopic Bariatric surgery

The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has successfully conducted Ghana’s first laparoscopic bariatric surgery, a significant breakthrough in the country’s medical landscape and efforts to address rising obesity cases.

The pioneering procedure, also known as a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, involves removing a portion of the stomach to improve weight loss.

The surgery was carried out in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team at UGMC, led by Dr. Kennedy Ondede, a Bariatric Surgeon and Head of Surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya with sponsorship from Medtronic and East Cantonment Pharmacy Limited.

Dr. Ondede explained that the surgery, which had gained ground in Kenya and other parts of Africa, involved removing about 60–80 per cent of the stomach using minimally invasive “keyhole” techniques.

This results in patients eating less and losing weight, while still maintaining a balanced nutritional intake.

“This type of weight-loss surgery is not just about aesthetics, it helps reduce or reverse major obesity-related complications such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, infertility, and joint issues. Some of our patients who couldn’t conceive now have children. Others no longer require daily medication for chronic diseases,” he said.

The procedure is typically recommended for individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 30, classified as obese by World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

According to Dr Ondede, the surgery could help patients lose up to 80 per cent of their excess weight over a period of one to two years.

Though the procedure is relatively safe, it carried potential risks such as infection, staple line leakage, and malnutrition if not followed up properly, he added.

He, however, indicated that with proper equipment and training, the success rate exceeded 90 per cent, adding that persons who did not wish to undergo such a procedure must control their diet, avoid or reduce sugar intake, and exercise well to maintain a normal weight.

Dr. Dominic Darkwa, a Consultant General Surgeon at UGMC, who co-led the operation, said the team had spent over a year planning to introduce bariatric surgery at the facility.

“We have about 17 to 20 per cent of Ghana’s adult population living with obesity. This puts them at risk for numerous conditions including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and respiratory problems,” Dr. Darkwa stated.

“We planned and trained for this moment, and we’re excited to finally bring this service home.”

Dr. Darkwa clarified that the sleeve surgery differed from a gastric bypass, explaining that while the former reduced stomach volume, the latter diverted food away from parts of the digestive tract to limit absorption.

“The surgery is only a tool. Patients must follow up with dietitians, psychologists, and exercise routines to meet their health goals.

This is just the beginning, we hope to scale up and help many more Ghanaians reclaim their health,” he added.

Dr. Baffoe Gyan, Director of Medical Affairs, emphasized that this medical milestone aligned with the hospital’s mission to provide world-class healthcare, given the needed support and necessary equipment.

“The procedure is very effective, it prevents diseases, reduces drug dependency, and can transform lives,” Dr. Gyan said.

“Bariatric surgery is a procedure a lot of Ghanaians go outside to have done and with the expertise now in Ghana, people no longer need to travel outside the country for such,” he added.

Dr Gyan, also a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, noted that many Ghanaians genetically struggle with weight gain and obesity, adding that the bariatric surgery offered a viable solution for those who have tried conventional weight loss methods without success.

A team of over 30 professionals, including surgeons, anesthetists, perioperative nurses, nutritionists, and equipment providers, contributed to the procedure.

Each surgery took two to three hours due to the instructional nature of the session.

Patients who undergo such surgery are expected to begin a liquid diet within 24 hours and are typically

discharged within three days, while ensuring follow-ups with nutritionists and psychologists, as it is essential to long-term success.

The UGMC called on patients in need of such procedures to enroll in its bariatric programme and be offered a comprehensive pre- and post-surgical support system.

New Developments in Breast Cancer Treatment

Introduction:

Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cancer worldwide and the most common cancer in women. In 2022, there were 2,296,840 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed globally, and 670,000 associated deaths were recorded. Breast cancer usually occurs in women at any age after puberty but commonly later in life. About 13% of women in the general population will develop breast cancer by the year 2035. Fifty-five (55) to 72% of women with a mutation in Breast Cancer gene 1 (BRCA 1) – a gene responsible for DNA repair as well as a tumour suppressor – have a likelihood of 45-85% of developing breast cancer in their lifetime and are often linked with triple negative breast cancer. About 45-69% of women with BRCA 2 will develop breast cancer by 70-80yrs. BRCA gene mutations are inherited, are passed on from parents to their children and can run in families.

History of Breast Cancer Treatment:

Breast cancer treatment has gradually evolved over the years. In recent times, newer developments have significantly improved the overall outcome of most patients who present early. Even for patients who present with advanced disease, options for treatment and control of disease continue to improve. History dates back to the 19th century when major landmarks in the treatment of breast cancer begun to unfold. Treatment of breast cancer however dates back to ancient times.

Evolution of newer cancer treatments (Systemic therapy):

Some major landmarks include performing of the first radical mastectomy, mammography, use of radioactive substances and later in the twentieth century, development of various forms of treatments which enter the blood stream and travel to every part of the body. This includes chemotherapy and hormonal therapeutic drugs which when combined with surgery, effectively treat and manage breast cancer. With time, more recent drugs have been developed, which target the proteins that breast cancer cells use to grow, spread and live longer.

These drugs work to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth by entering theblood stream and traveling to every part of the body. Some targeted drugs work even when chemotherapy drugs do not, and they can boost the effect of other drugs. Significant advances in oncology in recent years has demonstrated impressive durable clinical benefit. The advent of immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer. Immunotherapy utilizes the patient’s own immune system to fight and eradicate cancer.

Clinical evidence shows significant variability in the treatment response to immunotherapy agents versus standard chemotherapy agents. These newer agents coupled with the already known chemotherapy drugs, have shown great promise in the management of cancer and resulted in improved life span of patients.

Evolution of Radiotherapy:

Radiotherapy involving the use of radiation to kill and shrink cancer cells has evolved dramatically over the past century and made great progress in treatment success. It has traveled a long path through different milestones resulting in fine tuning of clinical understanding, skill and technological advancement.

The overall result has been better treatment planning with improved survival and reduced side effects. Initially, superficial X- rays were developed for the treatment of cancers. With time, higher energy X-rays like Cobalt 60 were developed for successful treatment of cancers. Cobalt 60 teletherapy machines are very resilient and still in use in some African countries.

The linear accelerator was invented in the 1950’s with marked improvement in radiotherapy improving on the precision of delivery. The following are various techniques by which targeted radiation therapy is employed. These include:

3-Dimensional Conformal radiotherapy (3D CRT)- A type of radiation therapy that uses multiple beams shaped to conform to the three-dimensional outline of the tumour. This treatment targets tumours and minimizes radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)- A more precise form of radiation therapy administration to precisely shape radiation beam delivery to the tumour while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)- A type of radiation therapy that uses imaging techniques during treatment to precisely target tumours and minimize radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)-A type of radiation therapy that delivers radiation in a continuous arc as the treatment machine rotates around the patient. This allows for precise targeting of tumours.

Stereotactic radiotherapy- A type of radiation therapy that uses highly focused beams to precisely target tumours, minimizing the damage to surrounding tissues. Delivers higher doses in fewer treatments. (Not available in Ghana presently)

Brachytherapy- A type of radiation therapy where a sealed radiation source is placed directly or near a tumour.

Intra-operative radiotherapy- Delivery of a high dose of radiation directly to the tumour or tumour bed during surgery (Not available in Ghana presently)

Radioimmunotherapy-Cancer treatment that combines radiation therapy and immunotherapy to target tumours

As cancer treatment has continued to evolve over the decades, there has been remarkable improvement in the treatment outcomes and overall survival of patients.

First Mpox death recorded in Ghana; 23 new cases confirmed

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed 23 new cases of Mpox, pushing the country’s total case count to 257 as of July 22, 2025. One death has also been reported, the first since the outbreak began.

This marks the highest weekly increase in recent updates and a turning point in the outbreak, which had previously recorded no fatalities.

According to health officials, the virus continues to spread mainly through close physical contact with infected individuals.

The GHS is urging the public to be vigilant and to report any symptoms early to help curb the spread.

A previous update issued on July 18 had placed the number of cases at 234, with no deaths and no active hospitalisations.

The jump of 23 new cases and one death in just a few days represents a sharp change in the disease’s progression in Ghana.

Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, is a viral infection that causes fever, body aches, and distinctive skin rashes. It spreads through direct contact with the skin, rashes, or body fluids of an infected person.

The disease is especially dangerous for children, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Health authorities are advising the public to avoid close physical contact with anyone showing symptoms, wash hands regularly, and seek medical help immediately if symptoms appear.

“Protect yourself and others by avoiding close contact with those showing symptoms, and ensure you report any suspected signs to the nearest health facility,” the GHS said in a public notice.

Ghana’s Medical Trust Fund: Lifeline or Landmine?

Ghana’s Parliament has passed a law that could dramatically reshape access to emergency healthcare for its citizens. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2025, now enshrined in law, seeks to offer financial support to individuals facing catastrophic medical conditions, especially where costs are beyond the reach of ordinary citizens and beyond the cover of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

On paper, this is a bold and compassionate step toward health equity. However, the implementation risks are significant and may threaten the very foundation of Ghana’s public health financing system.

A Bold Promise with Real-World Relevance

The Medical Trust Fund is designed to fill a painful and all-too-familiar gap in Ghana’s health system: the countless lives lost or destroyed each year not due to lack of treatment, but due to lack of money. The Fund aims to cover complex and urgent medical cases, including cancers, organ transplants, congenital disorders, and other high-cost conditions that the NHIS either cannot afford or is not mandated to handle.

The urgency of this intervention is not theoretical. In 2024, Ghana was rocked by a renal dialysis crisis that exposed deep cracks in the country’s health financing model. Suddenly, out-of-pocket dialysis fees shot up beyond the reach of many patients, leading to heartbreaking scenes of patients being turned away or missing sessions at dialysis units. Public outrage followed. The Government’s response? A one-off subsidy was announced to placate public anger and keep the service running temporarily. This wasn’t a fix but an attempt to paper over the cracks.

This is not a duplication of the NHIS, but a complementary system designed to manage catastrophic cases—diagnoses that, in the Ghanaian context, often result in a death sentence. Is it considered duplication if the NHIS excludes certain advanced treatments, overseas care, or dialysis for end-stage renal failure? This Fund addresses a different issue: what occurs when NHIS coverage ends but the need for care persists?

The law establishes a governance board drawn from the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, civil society, and other stakeholders. It also mandates annual audits and reports to Parliament, measures designed to bolster transparency and accountability.

The Controversial Clause: 20% of NHIS Funds

But the Act contains one provision that has sent shockwaves through the health policy community: 20% of NHIS revenue is to be permanently allocated to this new Fund. This is now the law. How this figure was arrived at is a conundrum and could be seen as arbitrary.

The justification? Still unexplainable. Where is the actuarial modelling? Where is the costing data? Can a figure that impacts two national systems be determined without public scrutiny or stakeholder involvement?

I have not seen any actuarial analysis, no financial modelling, no impact assessment, just a bold, fixed figure carved out of an already overstretched NHIS. This decision, while perhaps driven by urgency or political momentum, threatens to destabilise the core insurance scheme Ghana has spent two decades building.

The NHIS is far from perfect, but it remains Ghana’s primary vehicle for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It already struggles with reimbursement delays, a limited benefits package, and increasing provider dissatisfaction. Carving out a fifth of its revenue without expanding the overall health budget is not just financially risky, it’s structurally dangerous.

Risks That Must Be Confronted Head-On

• Beyond the financial impact, the new law leaves several critical implementation questions unanswered:       
  Who qualifies for funding? The Act does not define clear eligibility criteria, leaving decisions to the discretion of the Fund’s Board. Without means testing and objective benchmarks, access may become arbitrary or politically manipulated.
•  How will this integrate with NHIS? The creation of a parallel funding structure raises fears of fragmentation. Will patients have to navigate multiple bureaucracies? Will providers be caught in a tug-of-war between two payment systems?
• Can it be insulated from elite capture? Ghana’s political history is rife with well-intentioned public funds that become tools of patronage. Without independent oversight and citizen participation, the Trust Fund could suffer the same fate.
• What about administrative costs? Running a new national fund means hiring staff, building systems, and creating oversight frameworks. In a constrained fiscal environment, that cost must be weighed carefully against its potential benefits.

The Case for Caution and Reform

The intent behind the Medical Trust Fund is not in question. What is at stake is whether the approach adopted will work in practice without damaging what already exists. Alternatives exist. Ghana could have:   

-Phased in the NHIS contribution gradually, starting at 5% and scaling up based on performance.

– Introduced a health solidarity levy on high incomes or earmarked luxury import taxes.

– Channelled a share of petroleum revenues or special VAT allocations into the Fund.
Crucially, such options would have allowed for new financing without undermining NHIS stability.

A Delicate Balance

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2025, is a paradox of policymaking: it is both compassionate and potentially destructive. It offers a real opportunity to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable, but its financing model threatens to rob Peter to pay Paul.

The 2024 dialysis crisis should serve as a national wake-up call — not just a justification for the Fund, but evidence that Ghana’s health system requires a secure, ring-fenced stream of funding for catastrophic illnesses. Advocates have long pressed for a reliable solution. Instead, the response was a one-off injection of cash, effectively in the short term. Why wait for media outrage to prompt action? Why leave patients with conditions such as end-stage renal disease, certain cancers, and congenital heart defects at the mercy of public sympathy?

The challenge now lies not in debating whether the law should exist, it is already in the books, but in ensuring its implementation is smart, transparent, and does not harm the broader goal of universal health coverage.

With the right implementation, particularly around eligibility criteria, financial sustainability, citizen oversight, and operational coordination with NHIS, the Fund could indeed become a lifeline. But if allowed to drift without these corrections, it risks becoming a bureaucratic landmine buried in Ghana’s health system.

Ghana must now walk this tightrope with discipline, foresight, and a firm commitment to equity.

Understanding Uterine Fibroids: A hidden threat to women’s health and fertility

Uterine fibroids are far more common than many women realise and can significantly affect fertility, menstrual health, and overall quality of life, according to Dr Padi Ayertey, obstetrician-gynaecologist and Medical Director at Elimmas Health.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show, Dr Ayertey described fibroids as non-cancerous growths that develop in the muscle of the uterus and elaborated on their causes and effects.

“A uterine fibroid is a non-cancerous growth. It starts in the muscle of the uterus,” he said. “Everybody calls it fibroid, so we call it ‘fibros’.”

He explained that fibroids originate when certain uterine cells resist the body’s natural hormonal controls.

“One cell decides, ‘I’m not going to be controlled anymore.’ It divides into two, then four, then eight — and keeps growing. It starts smaller than a pin and can eventually become bigger than my head.”

Pregnancy as Natural Protection

Dr Ayertey noted that pregnancy and breastfeeding offer a form of natural protection against fibroids due to the hormonal changes they induce.

“The uterus takes a break from those hormones during pregnancy. After delivery and while breastfeeding, prolactin levels stay high, offering further protection. That’s why pregnancy becomes very protective against uterine fibroids.”

Fibroids, Polyps and Cysts – What’s the Difference?

He also addressed common misconceptions by distinguishing fibroids from polyps and cysts.

“Polyps are soft growths in the cavity of the uterus, where the baby sits. If a polyp or fibroid is in that space, it acts like a tenant in a one-bedroom apartment. So when the pregnancy comes, it says, ‘There’s already someone here,’ and it can’t stay.”

Cysts, he clarified, are typically fluid-filled and found outside the uterus, most often on the ovaries. Some can even contain fat, hair, or bone.

Symptoms Can Vary Widely

Dr Ayertey explained that symptoms differ depending on the fibroid’s location:

Inside the uterine cavity: may cause infertility, cramping, and heavy bleeding.

Within the uterine wall (muscle): may create pressure that affects fertility.

Outside the uterus: may press against other organs, leading to constipation or frequent urination.

“Your bladder, which should be big, becomes small because the fibroid is pressing on it,” he said. “You find yourself urinating every few minutes, not just a little, a moderate amount.”

He also warned that abdominal bloating isn’t always caused by fat.

“A lot of you have got big tummies. It is fat, not fibroid. But for some people, that mass could actually be a fibroid, and it can grow really big.”

How to Identify and Manage Fibroids

The most common signs, according to Dr Ayertey, include:

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Difficulty conceiving

Abdominal swelling

“For most people, it’s heavy bleeding. Others come because they’re not getting pregnant. Some just see their tummy getting bigger.”

When it comes to treatment, he said there are both medical and surgical options available:

“There are medical options to keep fibroids calm, but they usually aren’t long-term solutions. If the fibroid is very big on the outside, surgery to cut and remove it might be needed. But if it’s small and causing bleeding, doctors can now remove it through the vagina without any cuts — that’s what people are doing these days.”

A Silent Burden With Serious Risks

Dr Ayertey cautioned that untreated fibroids can lead to serious complications — including severe blood loss, anaemia, and reduced productivity.

“Some women can’t function for five days every month. They bleed so heavily, they have to wear diapers instead of sanitary pads.”

“People have died because of excessive bleeding,” he added.

As awareness increases, Dr Ayertey stressed the importance of early diagnosis and regular gynaecological check-ups to detect and manage fibroids before they become life-threatening.

UHAS Dean urges strategic role for laboratory managers in 24-hour health system reform

The Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Professor Samuel Essien-Baidoo, has called for urgent policy reforms to position medical laboratory managers at the centre of Ghana’s healthcare transformation.

Delivering a keynote address at the Annual General Meeting of the Society of Medical Laboratory Managers, Prof. Essien-Baidoo emphasised that the full integration of laboratory managers into the healthcare governance structure is essential to achieving quality service delivery, particularly within the proposed 24-hour health economy.

“We risk crashing our healthcare system if we do not take steps now to correct this. Whether it is supporting the 24-hour health economy, leading primary healthcare diagnostics, or driving evidence-based policy, the relevance of the medical laboratory manager is unquestionable,” he stated.

The professor noted that although medical laboratory professionals played critical roles during the COVID-19 pandemic—often risking their lives and leading coordination efforts to sustain health system operations—they remain sidelined in strategic decision-making spaces.

“We are not merely technical heads. We are integral contributors to the ethical, legal, and managerial dimensions of healthcare delivery,” Prof Essien-Baidoo asserted.

He decried the fact that, out of all the teaching hospitals in the country, only two currently have Directors of Allied Health Services. He criticised attempts to suppress qualified laboratory scientists from applying for top positions, referring to recent incidents at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as an example of institutional resistance.

“It is deeply disappointing, especially when deliberate efforts are made to circumvent the process by introducing clauses that suppress medical laboratory scientists from leadership roles,” he said.

Prof Essien-Baidoo stressed that building a resilient 24-hour health system requires leadership that goes beyond administrative competence to embrace visionary, ethical, and policy-driven engagement. He called on policymakers to redefine the role of laboratory managers, not as afterthoughts, but as cornerstones in the healthcare delivery chain.

He also urged professional bodies to intensify advocacy within the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and the private sector to institutionalise reforms that mandate the inclusion of laboratory managers in hospital directorates and governance.

“Our professional bodies must have the courage to shape institutional culture and push for reforms that empower laboratory professionals as part of the core decision-making structure,” he added.

Commending the organisers of the Annual General Meeting, Prof. Essien-Baidoo declared the meeting officially open and challenged participants to engage with the issues not as spectators but as active stakeholders.

“Let us rise to the occasion. Let us remain grounded in the laws that empower us, guided by the ethics of our profession, and inspired in our work so we can contribute wholeheartedly to national development,” he concluded.