Korle Bu paediatric cancer unit flags surge in childhood cases

Doctors at the Paediatric Oncology Unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital are warning of a sharp rise in childhood cancer cases, cautioning that Ghana could face a treatment crisis without urgent expansion of facilities.

Head of the Unit, Dr Ernestina Schandorf, revealed that annual new cases have jumped from about 160 to over 230, describing the trend as “deeply alarming.”

“Our numbers have really increased. Now we see over 230 new children every year, and that is excluding those already on treatment. With both new and old patients, we are managing thousands of children,” she said.

Korle Bu, the nation’s main referral centre for childhood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and various solid tumours, is already operating at full capacity. Dr Schandorf warned that limited space and inadequate equipment are straining care.

“The number of children we cater for has outgrown the unit. So I call on everybody, the general public, corporate bodies, the government, philanthropists. Please come to the aid of the paediatric oncology unit in Korle Bu,” Dr Schandorf appealed.

The doctor also stressed the importance of public awareness and early detection, explaining that symptoms often mimic common illnesses.

“Early warning signs can resemble other diseases. If a child has a persistent fever despite treatment, childhood cancer must be considered,” she advised.

Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that over 400,000 children develop cancer each year, with survival rates surpassing 80 per cent in high-income countries.

In Ghana, however, survival remains below 40 per cent, hindered by late diagnosis, treatment gaps and insufficient infrastructure.

Hospital officials are calling on the government, private sector and civil society to fund expanded facilities and improve access to treatment.

They argue that a coordinated effort is essential to meet the rising demand and to give Ghanaian children a fair chance at survival.

Dr Schandorf underscored that with early detection and adequate resources, childhood cancers are highly treatable.

Without decisive action, however, the country risks an escalating crisis in paediatric cancer care.