The national childhood cancer awareness month has been launched, with a call on government to provide better access to treatment for children with cancer.

According to stakeholders at the meeting, about 1,000 childhood cancer cases are recorded annually in the country; however, only 200 to 250 children with cancer are able to receive treatment.

They noted that majority of the children with cancer lose their lives because their parents are unable to afford the treatment cost which is not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The stakeholders, therefore, advocated measures, including placing of the treatment of childhood cancers on the NHIS to make treatment more accessible.

Cost of treatment

Prof Lorna Awo Renner, a consultant paediatrician at the Child Health Department, University of Ghana Medical School/Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, said the commonest and most curable childhood cancers formed over 70 percent of childhood cases.

She said the average cost of treatment for these cancers excluding leukemia is GHc3,000 for cure.

Prof Renner said the common burkitt lymphoma formed about 25 percent of cancer cases and required only GHc1,200 to cure with the potential of a cured child being 50 to 60 years of productive life for Ghana.

She, however, mentioned that the cost of drugs and limited care such as lack of accommodation for parents and their children were challenges that needed attention.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

The month of September is set aside for awareness creation and advocacy on childhood cancers.

It is also a period for honouring and remembering children who lost their fight with cancer and providing support for families with children who have the disease.

Based on the theme: ‘Act Now For Childhood Cancer- Better Access To Care’, the public, especially parents are encouraged to seek early medical treatment for their children who are diagnosed with the disease because cancer if diagnosed early is curable.

Angelina Ackon, representing the Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia, said the country had made great progress in the treatment of cancer cases with almost 80 percent success rate.