Panellists at the launch of the 2015 Childhood Cancer Month in Accra have emphasised the need for the inclusion of the care and treatment of childhood cancers in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
They contend that about 1,000 children below 15 years are diagnosed with cancer annually and most of them lose their lives because of their parents’ inability to afford treatment and medication.
The launch, on the theme: “Act now for Childhood Cancer – Better Access to Care,” was to make parents aware of the need to seek medical treatment for their children who are diagnosed with the disease.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a period to honour and remember children and families affected by these rare diseases and help rally support to give children with cancer better outcomes.
Global estimate
The global estimate of new childhood cancer cases is between 175,000 and 250,000 annually, with approximately 90 per cent of affected children living in developing countries.
Children with cancer may experience a number of symptoms or signs, but sometimes children with cancer do not show any symptoms or the symptoms may be caused by a medical condition that is not cancer.
Ms Angelina Ackon, who represented the Minister of Health, said the treatment and care of childhood cancers had seen a remarkable success from a lethal disease in the 1960s to about 80 per cent curative rate when detected early.
With one out of 500 children being infected, the National Strategic Plan, when implemented, will deal with issues concerning childhood cancers.
She called on all civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and the private sector to come to the aid of children with cancers because they have a high survival rate.
Cost of treatment
A Consultant Paediatrician at the Children’s Department, of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Dr Lorna Awo Renner, said the average cost of treatment of a case of childhood cancer, excluding leukaemia, was between GH¢1000 GH¢3000 adding that since most parents could not afford that amount, they tend to rely on self-medication and other socio-cultural practices which eventually led to the death of their children.
She identified the cost of drugs and limited supportive care, including accommodation, as some of the challenges associated with caring for the disease and, therefore, called for its inclusion in the NHIS.
According to her, the real concern was that most parents reported to health facilities with advanced cancer cases rather too late, when much cannot be done.
The Programme Manager of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ghana Health Service, Dr Kofi Nyarko, said the government had put measures in place, which outlined the key strategies for the control of the major cancers in Ghana, including childhood cancers.
Awareness creation
He said resources were, therefore, needed to raise awareness of the causes of cancer, provide regular screening for childhood cancers and promote access to appropriate management.
He added that with the implementation of the national cancer strategy, no child should suffer from cancer.
The President of Ghana Parents Association of Childhood Cancer, Dr Kwame Aveh, also reiterated the call for the inclusion of childhood cancers treatment in the NHIS, adding that the lives of children are priceless and there is the need for policy makers to do more for children.
He announced that plans were advanced for the building of a hostel to offer support to patients and family members at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to cater for emergency cases that might arise during the course of treatment and also reduce transportation challenges of very ill patients.
Such a facility, he said, would accommodate 30 families and also have a counselling and support office. He called on individuals and corporate organisations to come to their aid.
“We need to act now to eradicate cancer among children,” he said.
Dr Memuna Tanko, who represented the NHIS, noted that the scheme was being reviewed to prioritise diseases and treatment and noted that childhood cancer would be considered to make life better for children with cancer.
