Ghana

We are working to build a network of healthcare systems in Ghana to improve early diagnosis and treatment. This work is made possible through the support of UK Aid from the UK Government

Programme Centre

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra

Twinning Centre

Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC), Edinburgh, UK

Programme Leads

Prof Lorna Awo Renner

Dr Cathy Segbefia

Programme Mentors

Prof Tim Eden

Dr Emma Johnson

Contact

George Achempim

Programme Coordinator

Start Date

October 2010

Impact
Background
Problems
Key Activities

Around 1,300 new cases of childhood cancer are expected in Ghana each year. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is the largest tertiary centre in the country and sees the majority of cases. Also providing cancer treatment is Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. The number of cases diagnosed in Ghana is increasing each year and together these hospitals act as referral centres to a growing network of units around the country. Access to healthcare services is limited for much of the population, so there remains a large number of children who are currently not diagnosed.

There are only 3 paediatric oncologists to serve the entire population of 27 million people
Abandonment rates are high as childhood cancer treatment is not covered by the country’s health insurance scheme and costs are prohibitive for families
Knowledge of early warning signs and symptoms amongst frontline health workers is low so many children go undiagnosed
Communities are largely unaware of childhood cancer and seek traditional healing options or bring children with a late stage of disease when a cure is less likely
Children from the most vulnerable populations are underserved and less likely to reach the appropriate care

Provide specialist training for healthcare staff and improved the knowledge of early warning signs and symptoms
Support the costs of diagnosis and treatment for vulnerable families
Establish shared care centres around the country to improve referral rates
Facilitate the collection of accurate patient data to allow follow-up
Support adequate staffing at treatment centres, especially for nursing
Implement community awareness and engagement activities

Ongoing specialist support and mentoring has helped Korle Bu to develop into a centre of excellence for childhood cancer treatment
The number of children newly diagnosed with cancer in Ghana has tripled since 2010
More than 1,250 patients have been diagnosed and have accessed improved services throughout the lifetime of the programme
Staff from 3 shared care centres have been provided with basic paediatric oncology training
Funding secured for a new day care unit, completed in 2013, to provide a clean and safe space for outpatient treatments
A National Cancer Plan was accepted by the Ministry of Health and advocacy is ongoing for the inclusion of childhood cancer treatment in the insurance scheme
Income generation activities started for parents, support provided for food and treatment costs
Survival rates at Korle Bu have risen from 20% to 62%