A non-profit organisation, AMPATH Ghana, says addressing cervical cancer in the northern part of Ghana can only be achieved if efforts were prioritized in training health workers and providing essential healthcare services to patients. 

The organisation has so far trained over 30 health workers since 2023, enabling them to effectively combat cervical cancer, while more than 200 women in the area benefited from free screenings and treatment for the disease over the past two years.

According to an Obstetrician & Gynecologist and Reproductive Health Lead at the organisation, a concerning healthcare disparity exists in the region, where the Tamale Teaching Hospital lacks a specialized center for cervical cancer treatment despite serving a large number of women. This infrastructure gap prompted AMPATH Ghana to launch initiatives aimed at enhancing the hospital's capacity to provide effective cervical cancer treatment.

“However, the challenge now is to equip treatment centres across the North effectively. How do we ensure quality control? How do we ensure that nurses, midwives, and doctors have the right tools and training to provide the necessary care for cervical cancer patients?" Dr. Hernandez asked.

She stressed that timely diagnosis and treatment are vital for effectively combating cervical cancer, as the disease can quickly progress and become more severe if not addressed promptly.

"Previously, women diagnosed with cervical cancer had to travel to the southern part of the country for treatment. Now, we've been able to treat more than 200 women in the past two years. Our goal is to bring comprehensive treatment capabilities to Northern Ghana," she stated.

One person, Zainabu Abdullah, who survived a battle with cervical cancer, shared her story of resilience. For seven long years, she suffered from relentless coughing and even life-threatening episodes of coughing up blood as an impact of the disease.

“When I heard that doctors from AMPATH Ghana were offering treatment for this disease, I decided to join their program," she recalled.

Despite starting treatment, Zainabu's symptoms persisted, and she continued to cough up blood. However, over time, the bleeding gradually changed, and she began experiencing vaginal bleeding instead. She then underwent weekly check-ups, closely monitoring her condition, until she was eventually discharged from care.

“The team helped me with all the necessary paperwork, and now, after seven weeks of treatment, I’m happy to say that the bleeding has completely stopped," Zainabu said.

She expressed her gratitude for the support she received during her ordeal. "I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported us during this time. We truly appreciate all their hard work.”

According to a 2022 research paper, cervical cancer claimed 1,699 lives in Ghana each year, with 2,797 new cases diagnosed annually, making it the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the country.

The study emphasized that cervical cancer is preventable through vaccination and screening, yet Ghana has no national HPV vaccination program, and a staggering 97% of eligible women remain unscreened, leading to late-stage diagnoses and poor outcomes.

AMPATH Ghana has pledged to sustain its efforts in the fight against cervical cancer by offering free health services, promoting awareness about preventive measures, and expanding training programs for healthcare workers across metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies in Northern Ghana.