A groundbreaking event marked the initiation of construction for a 100-bed international children's cancer research center in Asikam near Kyebi, in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region. The ceremony involved the symbolic cutting of sod for this ambitious $250-million project, led by the Wish4life Foundation, focused on childhood cancer.

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The center aims to enhance patient care by increasing bed capacity and ensuring high-quality medical services, with an estimated completion time of two years.This initiative will unite skilled medical professionals from both local and international domains to elevate the treatment and support for childhood cancer patients across communities in Ghana and the broader West Africa sub-region.

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The envisioned three-story facility will encompass essential facilities such as consultation rooms, wards, a cafeteria, a playroom, meeting spaces, a laboratory, washrooms, and more. It will also feature specialized wards, private rooms, counseling spaces, and treatment units.

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Funding for this significant project will come from various donors, including financial institutions, Siemens Healthcare, Elekta, Milliman, Novartis, Bontobox, and Ofori Panin Fie. As childhood cancer cases surge, this center is a crucial step toward addressing the pressing healthcare needs of these young patients. Driven by the Wish4life Foundation and its founder, Dr.

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Tanya Maria Trippett, a renowned Pediatric Hematologist Oncologist, this endeavor seeks to bridge healthcare disparities and ensure every child receives the necessary medical expertise, medicines, and support.Dr. Trippett emphasized that globally, 160,000 children face a cancer diagnosis each year, underlining the importance of accessible treatment and care.

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Tragically, 90,000 children lose their lives annually due to cancer, a significant portion being from resource-constrained nations. The existing hospitals already face an overwhelming number of childhood cancer cases daily, further underscoring the urgency of this initiative.

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The center's establishment will significantly alleviate the strain on current healthcare facilities and enhance the overall treatment environment for vulnerable young patients.Acknowledging the vital role of early cancer detection in children, Dr. Trippett highlighted the necessity for a specific treatment environment due to the heightened vulnerability of these young patients.

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She expressed gratitude to the community for their warm reception and called for collective support to assist children battling childhood cancer across the country.Rob Fleming, the Project Manager of the International Children's Cancer Research Center (ICCRC), reiterated the organization's dedication to advocating for national attention towards childhood cancer.

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He emphasized the center's role in providing specialized medical services and enhancing the quality of care, with a focus on making healthcare more accessible and efficient for children and the broader population. The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, voiced immense joy at the establishment of this international children's cancer research center, foreseeing significant benefits for children within his traditional domain.

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He emphasized that while buildings and advanced medical equipment are crucial, the real healing comes from dedicated and qualified medical professionals committed to their duty of caring for these children battling cancer.

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