Ghana breast cancer centre strengthens global learning through US student exchange

Northeastern University students from Boston, USA, visited Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi as part of an academic exchange program. The program aims to strengthen global learning in breast cancer care and healthcare delivery. The students toured the hospital, learned about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and interacted with health professionals to understand Ghana's healthcare system and community-based patient care. Dr. Vanessa Dianna Johnson, Associate Professor of Applied Psychology at Northeastern University, first learned about Peace and Love Hospital about three years ago during a visit to Ghana and decided it should become part of the university's study program. She stated, "I was fascinated by the work they were doing here. I knew it was an important lesson for my students to learn about healthcare in Ghana, and we wanted to find ways to contribute and work together."

The visit also sought to deepen collaboration between the university and Breast Care International, which has hosted several groups of international students in recent years. Dr. Johnson expressed confidence that Ghana would continue to make progress in breast cancer care due to the dedication of the hospital's staff. Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, President of Breast Care International, stated that the exchange program helps prepare future health professionals and creates opportunities for institutions to learn from one another. She added, "Healthcare is not only about surgery or giving medication. It also includes psychological care and many other disciplines. Knowledge is not with one person. They have things they can learn from us, and we also have things we can learn from them."