A non-governmental organization dedicated to making childhood cancer a national health priority has urged the public to prioritise early treatment. Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana (LCCG) expressed concern that many parents wait until their children’s cancer is in its final stages before seeking professional medical help.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Frontline, Naa Martekie Martey, an Oncology Nurse Specialist and member of LCCG, noted that some individuals choose spiritual or herbal remedies over professional medical care.
“Some individuals use anointing oil, sobolo, and other items from their pastors with the hope of securing healing,” she said.
While not ruling out the power of prayer, Ms. Martey emphasised that the most effective solution is to seek professional diagnosis and treatment from certified medical professionals.
She told host Kwabena Agyapong that annually, about 500 children are brought to hospitals for cancer treatment, a figure far below the estimated 1,500 children who are actually affected by the disease each year.
“There is a cure for childhood cancer, especially when it’s detected and treated on time,” she stated. “The expected figure is around 1,500, but we only have about 500 of them coming to the hospitals, meaning several children with cancer are not being brought in. Their parents prefer taking them to prayer camps, giving them sobolo and anointing oil, thinking that will treat the cancer. They only come to the hospital when the cancer is at the end stages.”
She explained that while there’s no single established cause for childhood cancer, predisposed factors can include a family history of the disease, poor eating habits, exposure to radiation, untreated infections, and self-medication.
She also advised parents to be vigilant for early warning signs and to avoid self-medication, urging them to take sick children to the hospital promptly.
“Childhood cancer is not a respecter of status, prestige, or financial capacity; it can affect everyone. Therefore, we should not limit the condition to only rich people.”
On her part, Abigail Sarpong, Communication Officer for LCCG, highlighted the financial burden of treatment, noting that costs can start from GHC4,000 or GHC5,000.
She called on corporate Ghana and individuals to support the organization’s efforts to continue providing aid to affected children and their families.
”Treatment is expensive, with costs per child ranging from GHC5,000 to GHC6,000,” [Name of Person] stated. “That’s why as an organization, we are offering support, especially to families who lack the financial capacity to treat their children. We have been doing this for years and will continue to do so. We are appealing to Ghanaians to support our initiative so we can reach more children.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana