Ecobank Ghana has singled out non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as the main concern worthy of being the focus of the Ecobank Day celebration across some 33 countries worldwide.
With the month of October being observed as Breast Cancer Month, Managing Director of Ecobank, Dan Sackey, disclosed that in the next three years, they will provide support for the prevention and treatment of cancer cases nationwide.
“Our main objective in 2019 is to enhance the prevention, management and control of NCDs among staff and stakeholders.
“The conversation will include the consequences of inactiveness or sedentary lifestyle and other lifestyle choices that are detrimental to our health. Key among them, are diabetes and breast cancer,” he revealed.
The launch of the Ecobank Day will have activities planned till mid-November including a health walk to commemorate World Diabetes Day among others.
President of the Breast Care International and Chairman of the NCD Alliance, Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, made a case for the treatment and diagnosis of cancers to be enlisted on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
She argues that a firm social health system for treatment of cancers will go a long way to assist the effective treatment of cancers.
“We need the NHIS to rope in treatment of cancers as this will help reduce mortality and increase more productivity. Even if it means increasing the premium what matters most are the lives we are saving,” she told Joy News.
For a seamless administration of activities, Ecobank has collaborated with the Ministry of Health, the NCD Alliance and the World Health Organization (WHO) on the said project.
The Sub-theme for 2019 is “Prevention and Health Promotion” under the key objective of creating awareness across five market centres; Kaneshie – Accra, Ashaiman – Tema, Bantama – Kumasi, Market Circle – Takoradi and Tamale Market Centre – Tamale.