The event was basically to increase awareness about the devastating effects of cancer, inform the public on treatments and care and some of the risk factors that expose people to contracting the disease.
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Ousman Sanyang, deputy Head of Department of Surgery at EFSTH, underscored the importance of creating awareness and that it is common knowledge that breast cancer is one of the leading known cancers in the world for both male and female.
“It accounts for about 12.5% of newly diagnosed cancers, according to WHO data. It is one if the commonest diagnosed in The Gambia and the second most common cancers among women in The Gambia, secondly only to cervical cancer.”
Dr. Sanyang acknowledged the work currently being done by the Ministry, further expressing optimism that very soon, the country will have a great reduction in cervical cancers due to constant screening, therapy and the ongoing vaccination.
“So, breast cancer over a decade ago was third in position to liver cancers among women.”
However, he indicated that, according to national cancer’s programme data statistics, breast cancer has overtaken liver cancer, saying ‘if nothing is done for cervical cancer, it will equally overtake and become the topmost cancer just like the global figure.
He lauded the management of EFSTH for their efforts in tackling breast cancer in the country, saying the institution is the only institution that has dedicated a ‘breast cancer day’, where they allow patients with different breast conditions to come for screening.
Dr. Sanyang revealed that from October 2022 to October 2023, over 100 cases of patients with different breast condition have been operated at the hospital, reminding that the treatment of breast cancer is expensive and its treatment is done at the institution at no cost.
Kebba Bojang, director of National Cancer Treatment Programme, reminded that even though the day is set aside for breast cancer, for them ‘every day is a cancer day.’
“So, we came into being on 1st September 2022. We are tasked with making sure that when it comes to cancer, the morbidity and mortality is brought to minimum level. We are responsible for all cancer contagion that is from primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.”
Dr. Bojang spoke about the care and treatment offered at each stage adding cervical cancer is the most common cancer in the country followed by breast cancer.
He made reference to a popular adage that prevention is better than cure, noting that cervical cancer which is common in women and breast cancer can both be cured through early detection.
He called on women and girls to seek medical care each time they observed something strange in their breasts, reminding that they are doing a lot of works to ensure that diagnosing and treatment of cancer is accessible across the country.
He also spoke their collaborative efforts with stakeholders to ensure that breast cancer treatment is strengthened in the country.
Dr. Amer Al Jafari, chief medical director at EFSTH, lauded the doctors behind cancer treatment and care in the country for their dedicated efforts in ensuring patients are treated well.
He expressed his resolve and readiness to support any initiative geared towards reducing number of patients at the hospital.
“We are here to save the patient’s life. We cannot always say it is not available or wait for government to medication to save our patients. We need to work under any plans. Our patient’s life is very important.”
Dr. Al Jafari spoke about the gains registered in the recent past, recalling when he first came to the Gambia in 2013, the condition at the country’s health sectors were grumbling.
He said their were not enough equipment and medicating to response to the needs of patients and that the country is now on a right move but that staff need to work more.
He spoke of his plans to ensure that the country’s main referral hospital boost of latest treatment facilities to meet the growing need of the patients.
Dr. Al Jafari also refuted social media reports about the hospital, saying people behind this fake news will not derail them in offering quality health care service to Gambians.
Rohey Malick Lowe, mayoress of Banjul acknowledged the tremendous work of Gambian doctors in ensuring that the populace have better health care and commended them for that.
“Not everyone will appreciate your efforts, But I know your sacrifices as a neighbor, a custodian and a board member of the hospital and make it my duty to know what is happening at the hospital. Seeing is believing and everybody knows that.” She hailed them on behalf of the women of The Gambia.
Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, expressed appreciation of the Ministry of the work of Dr. Al Jafari and his team at the hospital in improving the quality of health services in the country.
He acknowledged that cancer has been a big problem just like hepatitis B, further commending all the doctors at the hospital for their efforts.
“So, to all the doctors and nurses here we appreciate you. For us as a Ministry, this is our core mandate to ensure that we detect this cancer early. First of all, we would have been happier if we there is a vaccine that can prevent breast cancer. But for now, we don’t have a vaccine to stop that. So, what we would want is for this kind of awareness to continue.”
Mariam G. Jabang, director of Gender Equality and Empowerment at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, expressed her Ministry’s resolve to partner with key stakeholders in raising more awareness about breast cancer and early diagnosis and deliver timely treatment in the country.
She acknowledged that as a Ministry they are aware of the fact that it is common knowledge that women are more impacted than male.
She spoke of their plans to continue advocacy to stem the rise of breast cancer in the country and called all to stand firm in curtailing a further surge of the disease.
