Extend NHIS coverage for children with cancer

Accra, Feb. 15,  - The Ghana Parents Association for Childhood Cancer (GHAPACC) has called on Government to extend the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover the treatment of some childhood cancers.

Dr John Ahenkorah, an Anatomist and a parent of a survivor, speaking on behalf of the President of GHAPACC, said childhood cancers such as Lymphomas, Retinoblastoma and Wilms Tumour are amongst the commonest types with relatively short treatment periods and excellent outcomes.

He said due to the inability of some parents to pay for the diagnostic work, treatment of children and their chances of getting cured are affected.

Dr Ahenkorah said this in a meeting with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health after a petition was made by the Association requesting the approval for the coverage of selected childhood cancers under the NHIS.

This also formed part of activities to mark the International Childhood Cancer Day, which falls on February 15 every year.

He said caring for children with cancer is a full-time job and once a child was diagnosed with cancer, one or both parents give up their source of livelihood to take care of the child.

Although children below 18 years qualify for treatment under the NHIS, children with cancer do not benefit from the NHIS simply because they are diagnosed with cancer, a situation, he pleaded, needed a redress since it was of grave concern to many families.

“This is very important as it will allow for early and proper diagnosis, to access life-saving essential medicines, get appropriate and quality medical treatments and follow-up care, services and sustainable livelihood opportunities for survivors,” he said.

Dr Ahenkorah said the time for total commitment was now, if Ghana would join the rest of the world and commit to the International Childhood Cancer Day 2018 call to action then “the time is now”.

“Too often when it comes to childhood cancer we are faced with a response of ’But’ to wit there aren’t enough children at risk of cancer, the treatment is too expensive and the childhood cancer treatment can collapse the NHIS.

“The question should rather be ‘But’ why can’t we care for the children with cancer in Ghana as we care for those who are equally unwell with different disease conditions,” he said.

He appealed to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to grant a gift of life to all children with cancer as the world observes International Childhood Cancer Day.

Dr Kwabena Twum-Nuamah, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and MP for Brekum East in the Brong Ahafo Region, who received the petition on behalf of the Committee, assured the petitioners and other stakeholders that something would be done about their concerns.

Dr Twum-Nuamah said government would attend to the issue with all the seriousness it deserves to ensure that much attention was given to childhood cancer just it is being done for cervical and breast cancers.

GNA