Childhood cancers on NHIS after publication of “Dying Many Times”

Four childhood cancers have been placed on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

This was launched in November 2021 after the publication of the book ‘Dying Many Times: The Struggles Of A Cancer Patient,’ in January that same year.

The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo announced the deal at the official launch of the 2021 NHIS Week celebration, themed, “NHIS: Using the Ghana Card for Expanding Access to Health Care,” held at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Following this development, any child diagnosed with leukaemia, Wilms Tumor, Retinoblastoma and Burkitt Lymphoma will undergo Surgery, Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy without any cost to them.

This takes effect from January 2022.

“Dying Many Times,” which chronicles a true story of how a young mother, her baby and husband helplessly fought leukaemia until they lost to it after nine months in three Teaching Hospitals, made some actionable recommendations to various stakeholders for their consideration and implementation, including asking that cancer must be part of the diseases the National Health Insurance Scheme pays for.

“Nothing derails treatment and affects recovery of the patient more than financing the treatment. Patients having the additional burden of sourcing for funds or knowing that those they love are struggling to get the funds needed for their treatment causes some patients to give up. I propose that cancer must be part of the diseases the National Health Insurance Scheme pays for, “book notes on page 242.

Commenting on the development, a Senior Manager for Communications and Media Relations at the National Health Insurance Scheme, Naphtali Awuakye Kyei-Baffour, said the publication of Mr. Benjamin Akyena Brantuo’s has in many ways helped in achieving this groundbreaking healthcare service. He was speaking at the second book launch of the author in Accra on 29th January 2022.