As part of activities to commemorate the 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), the Forestry Commission Ladies Association (FCLA) donated some supplies to the Breast Care Unit under the Department of Surgery, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).

The items included an adjustable stretcher, sphygmomanometer (blood pressure monitor), a drip stand, packs of bottled water, gallons of disinfectant, sacks of detergent, bedsheets, blood lancets, packs of tissue and paper towels.

The FCLA team was received by Dr. Florence Dede, Head of the Unit; Dr. Benjamin Fenyu, Surgeon, Breast Care Unit; Madam Juliet Adubah, Accountant; Madam Augusta Gyening, Matron; some nurses and doctors, all of the Breast Care Unit.

The Human Resource (HR) Director of The Forestry Commission (FC), Mrs. Anne Brown, who also serves as the National Vice President of the Association, in her address extended greetings from the Chief Executive and Management of FC to the hosts. She explained that FC usually commemorates the month by getting a resource person to have a talk with the staff and then, arrange for a breast examination. “However, this year, we found the need to give back”, she said. She expressed profound gratitude to the leadership and staff of KBTH, especially Dr. Dede and the Matron for providing care to families in some of the most challenging times of their lives. She also expressed appreciation to the FCLA for seeing this concept into fruition.

Mrs. Brown mentioned that the goal of the presentation is to empower the talented and dedicated healthcare professionals at KBTH to reach more patients and provide them with the best care possible as Breast Cancer remains one of the leading health concerns affecting women. “We know that early diagnosis saves lives”, she said, with hopes that the donation will help to ease the burden of the work of these professionals to continue the life-changing work they put out. She admonished all present to assist in championing a future where healthcare is accessible to all and no life is lost to a preventable condition.

Dr. Dede and the Matron both expressed their appreciation especially, for the cleaning supplies, terming it as an answered prayer and urged the FC team present for more partnerships in the future.

Dr Dede added that everything the team brought would not only help the patients in need but will also go a long way to make the work of the Unit a lot less cumbersome.

The team from FC with the HR Director comprised of Mrs. Valerie Fummey- Nassah, Director, Plantations, FSD; Mrs. Diana Fiati, Operations Manager, FSD; Madam Stella Sankah, HR Manager, WD and National Secretary, FCLA; Madam Mary Balkono, Deputy HR Manager, WD and National Organising Secretary, FCLA; Madam Juliana Amoah, Deputy HR Manager, FSD and Greater Accra Regional Chapter Vice President, FCLA, among some staff and members of the FCLA.