The initiative dubbed “Nestle and Roche Cancer Care Program”, is designed to provide a holistic cancer care and support to staff of Nestle Ghana.
It is expected to address crucial aspects of the treatment journey of staff living with cancers.
These include access to advanced oncology treatments, personalised patient care, educational resources, and support for caregivers.
The Nestle and Roche Cancer care program, will in addition to enhancing cancer care services, focus on education, early detection, diagnosis, and ongoing support for cancer patients and their families.
Mr Georgios Badaro, Managing Director, Nestlé Ghana Ltd, said the program was developed together with healthcare professionals and cancer specialists.
“This initiative is a profound commitment to the well-being and health of the Nestlé family. Our cancer care program for employees and their families is a true reflection to our genuine concern and care,” he said.
He said the initiative would ensure a holistic non- communicable diseases care to the staff of Nestle, showing compassion and offering unwavering support and standing by each other in times of need.
Mr Badaro said Nestle aimed to be a beacon of hope for those affected by cancers through its commitment to supporting the program financially, to protect and support employees and their families.
He urged employees to take responsibility of their health by participating in the education and screening programs provided under the initiative, saying, “by availing yourselves for screenings, you are taking an active role in your own well-being and contributing to the success of this program”.
Ms Antionette Arkoh, Human Resource Director, Nestlé Central & West Africa Region, said the Nestlé and Roche Cancer Care program was an integral part of its NesCare program, a comprehensive program to efficiently control non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to enhance the health of staff and their dependents.
“We have over years been responding to the major Non-Communicable Diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and mental health in our population by offering more tailored-made solutions,” she said.
Ms Arkah said having signed the cancer pledge globally, Nestle’s local insights and learnings had necessitated a major focus on cancer recently.
She said the program had a unique approach, which was centred on patient navigation – a coordinated care process which streamlines clinical care for staff and their dependents, alleviating anxiety by reducing waiting times.
Ms Arkoh said the program also extended psychological support and flow of credible information through the entire process of the patient journey to hopefully being declared cancer free or activating more advanced interventions.
Dr Elvis Kuma Forson, Doctor for Nestle Ghana and a Health Champion for Nestle Central and West Africa, said the program was targeted at the early detection of breast and all cancers through regular screening.
“One important aspect of this initiative is the navigation process, which pick a suspected case and moves the persons through the needed steps quickly for early detection and treatment,” she said.
Dr Forson urged the public to do a self breast examination at home and have a professional check at the hospital at least ones in every three months to aid the early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
The World Health Organisation says cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths, in 2018.
Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancers in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancers are the most common among women.
GNA
