Breast Care International (BCI) has appealed to the government to provide full financial support for breast cancer diagnostics under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to help reduce deaths associated with the disease.

President of the organisation, Dr Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, said the cost of diagnosis and treatment remains a major barrier for many women, leading to treatment defaults and preventable deaths.

Speaking to JoyNews during a sensitisation exercise at the Kotoka International Airport, Dr. Wiafe-Addai stressed that comprehensive NHIS coverage for breast cancer care could significantly ease the financial burden on patients and improve survival rates.

“A lot of women default on treatment because they don’t have money to pay for the biopsy, mammogram, or scans. If we really want to help, then we must cover breast cancer treatment holistically. If it means reviewing the NHIS premium to make this possible, let’s do it,” she said.

Dr Wiafe-Addai described the current statistics as alarming, noting that about six women die from breast cancer every day in Ghana.

She emphasised that early detection and consistent treatment are crucial in reversing the trend, hence the need for policy changes to make care more accessible and affordable.

The event, held in partnership with the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Delta Airlines, and Women in Aviation, formed part of BCI’s nationwide awareness campaign to promote early detection and education on breast health.

“Every year we hold this event at the airport to educate our ladies about breast cancer and also undertake clinical screening for them,” Dr. Wiafe-Addai added.

Also speaking at the event, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and gospel musician Kofi Sarpong, who serves as an ambassador for breast cancer awareness, called for stronger support systems to aid survivors in their recovery journey.

For many survivors, financial assistance remains critical to ensure continuous treatment and post-recovery care.