Childhood Cancer Medications to Be Free from the 1st Quarter of 2026 in Ghana

The government, working through the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, are working closely with partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Saint Jude’s Children Research Hospital to improve free access to essential childhood cancer medicines.

The initiative will be effective from the first quarter of next year, where children diagnosed with childhood cancers, particularly children from poor family backgrounds, can ease a sigh of relief and have access to free medications.

This was announced at the launch of the National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Accra on September 5.

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An estimated 1,500 (One thousand five hundred) children in Ghana develop cancer every year. less than half of this number is diagnosed. Many are diagnosed late when the cure is very difficult around that time. however, a significant proportion of those diagnosed find it difficult to pay for the medications.

Childhood cancer is a significant problem in low- and middle-income countries, with an estimated 80% of the world’s childhood cancer cases occurring in these regions.

In contrast to high-income countries, where over 80% of children with cancer are cured, survival rates in low- and middle-income countries are less than 30%. This disparity is due to factors such as a lack of diagnosis, misdiagnosis, poor access to care, and shortages of essential chemotherapy, all of which contribute to higher mortality.

Dubbed Gold September, the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month has the aim of creating awareness in communities and increasing the diagnosis of the disease.

Ghana currently has nine treatment centres for childhood cancer, and the Director of Public Health of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, said the government has, in the past three years, included four childhood cancer treatments in the NHIS and is hoping to expand coverage.

He also said Ghana has made significant strides in cancer management.

“In the past three years, Ghana has included four childhood cancers in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and is working to expand the coverage. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO, has been implementing the Cure All Framework of the global initiative for childhood cancer that was launched in 2021.

This initiative aims to achieve at least a 60% survival rate from childhood cancer by the year 2030. In line with this, Ghana has also developed a childhood cancer study plan, providing a clear roadmap to guide interventions and training services in the fight.

“We are working closely with partners such as WHO and the Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital to improve free access to essential childhood cancer medicines”.

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“Furthermore, centres such as Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital have been strengthened as referral hubs for comprehensive childhood cancer care. Six other centres are spread across the country to enhance geographical access”.

Confirming the implementation date for the free medication programme, the Technical Officer for Non -Communicable Diseases at the World Health Organisation, Benjamin Nuertey said; “ Inspired by the need to take action towards cure, WHO is working with St. Jude Children Research Hospital, the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and other partners in a program that we are calling the Access to Childhood Cancer Medications Program.

And the hope or the goal of this is that by first quarter next year, among nine (9) participating institutions, childhood cancer medications will be free for children who are diagnosed, and we are hopeful that this is going to improve care for our people”.

On his part, Medical Director of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Dr. Leslie Issa Adam-Zakaria, said childhood cancers are curable, promising the resolve of the hospital to intensify education on childhood cancer.

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