Accra, Oct. 18, GNA - Dr Ivy Ekem, Head of Haematology Department of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on Tuesday called for the establishment of a Leukaemia Fund to support the treatment of Leukaemia in the country. =93Unless a patient is from a wealthy class, it is difficult for most Leukaemia patients to meet the treatment cost of over 50 million cedis,=94 she said.

Dr Ekem made the appeal when receiving a cheque for 10 million cedis from Harvest Chapel International in response to an appeal for assistance to Miss Susanna Owusu Ampaw, a Leukaemia patient on admission at the hospital.

The estimated cost of treatment is about 50 million cedis. She commended the church for their prompt response to the appeal, adding 'We appreciate and recognise the prompt response of the church as a demonstration of your understanding of the urgency needed to treat the patient.'

'We need prompt actions to alleviate the emotional stress on medical practitioners, patients and families of such unfortunate brothers and sisters.'

Dr Ekem urged institutions, religious bodies and philanthropists to contribute towards the establishment of the fund to ensure other patients receive medical attention.

Pastor Noble Quadjie, Administrator of the church presenting the cheque noted that health care must be affordable irrespective of the patient's financial or social status.

He pledged the commitment of the church to pray for divine intervention and healing for Miss Ampaw. 18 Oct. 06