Families of two children diagnosed with cancer have struggled to raise funds for their treatment.
Two-year-old Halila was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, commonly called eye cancer, while the other child suffers from Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer.
The Kumasi South Hospital, where the children are receiving treatment, estimated an amount of at least GH₵60,000 for their care—an amount their families struggled to raise.
According to the Paediatrician at the hospital, Dr. Alimatu Salam, the treatment will involve chemotherapy and surgery to address the conditions of both children.
“We will begin the treatment with chemotherapy, then conduct the surgery, and return to chemotherapy to finally eliminate the cancer. Mostly, we administer the chemotherapy at this hospital and refer patients to KATH for surgery,” she explained.
Dr. Salam further added, “Due to enhanced education, most parents are bringing their wards for diagnosis after noticing certain symptoms, and some of them are diagnosed with cancer.”
Ernestina Kwarko, mother of the two-year-old, said her daughter’s condition started as an anomaly in the eye and later deteriorated.
“They have asked for sixty thousand cedis for the treatment. Already, we have spent thousands of cedis on her, and it will be difficult to raise the requested amount,” she said.
Through the Kofi Job Foundation, an amount of one hundred and twenty thousand cedis was donated to cover the medical bills of the children. An undisclosed amount was also given for the upkeep of their families.
The foundation additionally settled the bills of patients defaulting on payments at the Kumasi South Hospital.
At the Manhyia Government Hospital, the foundation assisted with the procurement of some medical equipment, in addition to settling the debts of needy patients.
At least three hundred and fifty thousand cedis was donated to the hospital, with a significant portion allocated for the purchase of medical equipment.
A similar gesture was extended to the Tafo Government Hospital to support both patients and the facility.
The Founder of the Kofi Job Foundation, Kofi Job, reiterated his commitment to investing more in the healthcare of the needy.
This marks the second time in about four months that the foundation has extended such support to hospitals and patients in need.
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