GNAT worried over rising cancer cases

Members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) on Thursday expressed concern about the growing number of its members and their dependents succumbing to various forms of cancers.

They said a sick teacher cannot satisfactorily perform the tasks assigned and the executives are seeking ways to combat the situation.

Speaking at a press briefing to launch GNAT Week in Accra, Mr Samuel Doe Alobuia, acting National President of GNAT, explained that the Association is collaborating with the Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre (SGMC) at Ashalley Botwe, to treat its members under the Sweden-Ghana Cancer Foundation.

He said due to the high cost of treatment of cancers and the fact that cancer treatment was not covered by Health Insurance, “GNAT will contribute a sum of GH ¢100,000 every month to the Foundation for a period of one year to offset the bills of our members and their dependents”.

In August, Mr Alobuia said, 37 members of GNAT from eight out of the 10 regions, fell victim to various forms of cancers costing the Association a total of GH ¢438,181.00.

He said the cost of treatment ranges from GH¢ 5,000 to GH¢ 85,000 saying “we are happy to state that, all these teachers are at work, concentrating on the provision of quality education to pupils, students and communities in the country”.

Mr Alobuia said this year’s national durbar of the World Teachers’ day would be held in Wa in the Upper West Region on the theme: “A Call For Teachers: Teachers Take the lead for Quality Education”.

He said GNAT would continue its support for the Dah Primary school, a deprived school in the Nadowli District, with tables and chairs for the pupils. Mr Alobuia said 50 school children, both boys and girls from five districts in the same region would benefit from school attires, shoes, school bags and stationary from GNAT.