COVID-19 and its ramifications for cancer patients in low-resource settings: Ghana as a case study.

Journal: Ecancermedicalscience

Volume: 14

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana. National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Abstract summary 

The impact of COVID-19 on healthcare in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is a major challenge requiring urgent measures. Cancer care in LMICs, including Ghana, is faced with inadequate numbers of skilled healthcare professionals and essential material resources which negatively impacts the quality of healthcare and wellbeing of patients. In the face of COVID-19, cancer patients are likely to be affected in three key ways: access to healthcare, increased financial toxicity and increased mental health burden as a consequence of strict measures being implemented to contain the virus in Ghana, including partial lockdowns and social distancing. Some cultural beliefs regarding COVID-19 and its influence on the health and wellbeing of cancer patients have also been discussed. Measures by the government to lessen the burden on citizens and health workers are highlighted with possible recommendations for improvement in cancer care in Ghana and other LMICs during this pandemic.

Authors & Co-authors:  Kugbey Nuworza N Ohene-Oti Naomi N Vanderpuye Verna V

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Global Cancer Observatory. 2018. [8/04/20]. [ https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/288-ghana-fact-sheets.pdf]
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : ed99
SSN : 1754-6605
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
COVID-19;Ghana;access to care;cancer care;financial toxicity;mental health
Study Design
Case Study,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Ghana
Publication Country
England