Subsidise drugs for childhood cancers
A section of parents of children with cancer have appealed to the government to subsidise drugs used in treating childhood cancers.
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According to them, the drugs were expensive and this puts a lot of financial burden on them since most of them are unemployed.
“My life has not been the same,” said the mother of a six-year-old girl who was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney (Wilms’ Tumour) four years ago.
According to her, aside having to stay at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for months for her daughter to undergo treatment during the initial stages of the cancer, she is also facing a lot of financial difficulties because the drugs are expensive and she is unemployed.
“My daughter’s father passed on when she was only three months and my mum who was also supporting me died later,” she said as tears welled up in her eyes.
“The government will have to help us because the drugs and the fees for laboratory tests are just too much,” she appealed.
On the average she said she spends about GH¢200 when her daughter goes for treatment, which she does every three weeks or less depending on the advice the doctor gives.
Fortunately, her daughter has undergone surgery and chemotherapy already but the effects of the cancer are visible on her.
“My daughter used to be plump but she has lost a lot of weight now. She has lost her hair because of the chemotherapy and her playmates have been making fun of her calling her ‘sakora.’ My daughter is always asking me when her hair will grow again” she said.
Another source of worry for her is the fact that her daughter, who had to stop school for treatment, now wishes to return to school but due to financial difficulties, the mother is unable to fulfil that.
Another parent of a seven-year-old boy who was diagnosed with cancer of the blood (Leukaemia) in August last year also echoes that the drugs for treating cancer are expensive and also appealed to the authorities to look into this problem to reduce the financial burden on parents.
She said the cost of treatment varies from GH¢50 to GH¢200 and these amounts, she said has to be paid sometimes weekly, fortnightly or twice a week.
According to her, she was a secretary but had to resign because her boss did not understand why she had to be off work for long periods of time to take care of her ailing son.
“It was difficult when I had to combine work with caring for my son so I had to resign because my child’s health was important to me” she said.
“I am happy he is responding to treatment but my main worry now is that he wants to be in school which he cannot do now. The family is coping and we pray he lives”.
Childhood cancers not under NHIS
A Consultant Paediatrician at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Lorna Awo Renner, said although some adult cancers such as cervical and breast cancers were on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), none of the childhood cancers were on the scheme.
She indicated that some of the commonest cancers such as lymphoma will cost GH¢600 for full treatment, while those which require surgery may cost higher; about GH¢1500.
However, the Cancer Unit sees patients from all over the country and some parents cannot bear such fees to care for their children.
She was grateful to the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) which supports the unit every month with money to help meet the financial needs of parents halfway.
Occasionally, individuals also take up the treatment cost of a child and other organisations also support the unit from time to time.
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Support system
Dr Renner said the Ghana Parents Association for Childhood Cancers comprises parents who have children cured of cancer and those who have lost loved ones to cancer.
The association has decided to build a hostel for the many parents who throng the hospital and have to stay on when their children are undergoing treatment.
Fortunately, the hospital has provided the land for the project but what they lacked was funds to start it.
International Childhood Cancer Day
February 15 marked International Childhood Cancer Day and according to a statement by the International Society of Paediatric Oncology, each year, more than 250,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer while about 90,000 die from the disease. This number is shocking when one realises that 70 per cent of all childhood cancers are curable.
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The society called on governments worldwide to ensure that children with cancer, no matter where they live, have access to care.
Dr Renner said there was a lack of awareness of childhood cancer but it was important for parents to seek early treatment and added that when cases are reported at a very late stage, only few treatment options are available.