The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) last Monday, distributed US3 million worth of Granisetron, a cancer treatment intervention drug to the three Teaching Hospitals in the country, for free treatment of cancer patients. The drugs, were donated by two US-based NGOs, the National Cancer Coalition and Americare, through Breast Care International and Peace and Love Hospital, a Kumasi-based healthcare provider to the National Health Insurance Authority. At a short presentation ceremony in Accra, the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Sylvester Mensah, expressed the hope that the drug will help reduce the cost of treatment of cancer patients who would benefit from the donation. He advised the recipient institutions, Korle-bu, Komfo Anokye and Tamale Teaching Hospitals, to make the best use of the drug in the treatment of cancer patients, particularly, NHIS subscribers. Receiving the consignment on behalf of her colleagues, the Director of Pharmacy of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Mrs. Elizabeth Bruce, on behalf of the hospitals, thanked the NHIA for the donation, and promised to make the best use of the drugs in the treatment of cancer patients under their care. She explained that the drugs, which are very scarce in the country, is an essential component in the regimen for treating of all forms cancer, adding that it is administered to patients to arrest vomiting which is often induced by the application of chemotherapy in cancer treatment. She said the quantity of drugs donated to them would go a long way in bringing relief to a large number of cancer patients who otherwise would have had to pay for them. Present at the ceremony were the Director of Research and Development of the NHIA, Mr. O.B. Acheampong and the Pharmacy Manager of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital,James Asamoah Duku. Source: Eric Ametor-Quarmyne, Deputy Director Corporate Affairs & Strategic Direction Division