A Paediatrician at the Paediatric Oncology Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Lily Gloria Tagoe says it is not enough to create awareness on childhood cancer without any support systems.
According to her, although the awareness creation is good, it also puts more pressure on the unit as more people come in for treatment which is mostly expensive for a significant number of people.
She notes that “the more we create this awareness, the more patients come in then it becomes more challenging. It will be nice if we get to a point where our staff don’t have to worry about money and just focus on the kids. That will be a dream”.
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The World health Organisation (WHO) states that, the likelihood of surviving a diagnosis of childhood cancer depends on the country in which the child lives
“In high-income countries, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured, but in many lower middle income countries (LMICs), only 15-45% are cured…improving access to childhood cancer care, including to essential medicines and technologies, is highly cost effective, feasible and can improve survival in all settings.”
Speaking on this year’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month slated for September, Dr. Tagoe said insufficient funds and blood products are some of the key challenges facing the Pediatrician Oncology Unit.
She added that providing support in the form of financial and blood donations together with the awareness creation would go a long way to fight childhood cancer.
Source: Lydia Sekyi Acquah/ATLFMNEWS
