– patients will directly benefit from Pinktober Fund for needed treatment

SEVERAL cancer patients from across Guyana will benefit from treatment and diagnostic services, as GTT collaborates with the Ministry of Public Health to observe World Cancer Day on February 4, 2020.

The telecommunications company has allocated $3M from its annual Pinktober Fund into providing Computerised Tomography (CT) scans and radiation services to an identified group of cancer patients currently in need of treatment at the facility.

Chief Executive Officer at GTT, Justin Nedd, encourages cancer patients to take full advantage of the services that will be provided.

“This is the reason we do Pinktober every year; not only do we raise awareness and encourage persons to get screened, we help cancer patients to access the necessary treatment and therapy,” he said.

GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens, explained that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Oncology Unit will be responsible for identifying and distributing the vouchers to patients who will receive the treatment and diagnostic testing.

“The high cost of treatment prevents or delays patients from accessing treatment. These are the patients who would be benefitting from our help,” she explained.

The GPHC’s Oncology Unit has been assiduously working towards improved quality of care for patients diagnosed with cancer. The unit was recently relocated to a space that is more accessible and comfortable. There is also a designated social worker to manage social issues such as patient navigation.

Throughout January 2020, GTT partnered with the Ministry of Public Health’s Chronic Disease Unit to raise awareness about cervical cancer prevention. The partnership also promoted Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening and treatment at various health centres across Guyana. The cervical cancer awareness activities will conclude on February 4 (World Cancer Day) with a health fair on Main Street.