Okyenhene Advocates Equal Access to Healthcare for Children Regardless of Birthplace
The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, has voiced his concern over the ongoing discrimination in healthcare access based on geographic birthplace, especially when it comes to children.
Speaking at his palace following a groundbreaking ceremony held in Asikam for a cutting-edge Pediatric Cancer Centre, he underscored the importance of eliminating this disparity.
The forthcoming Pediatric Cancer Centre in Asikam is set to be a remarkable 400-bed facility with an estimated cost of $25 million. This ambitious project is being spearheaded by the non-governmental organization Wish4Life Foundation.
Expressing his sentiments, the Okyenhene emphasized that it is unacceptable for children to be denied essential healthcare services solely due to their geographical locations. He commended the partnership behind this project for taking steps to rectify this issue, stating,
“The mere fact that a child is born in some rural area should not deny him or her access to medical care. Unfortunately, that is what is happening in Africa and the rest of the world.”
Dr. Tanya Maria Trippett, the Founder of the Wish4Life Founda`tion, shed light on the current healthcare landscape in Ghana, revealing that only 25 percent of Ghanaian children have access to cancer treatment due to the inadequacy of specialized cancer centers. She emphasized that once the Pediatric Cancer Centre project is completed, it will help bridge this gap, facilitate knowledge transfer, and impart essential technological skills.
Dr. Trippett emphasized the significance of this endeavor, stating,
“Today is all about uniting the world. In the United States of America, 85 percent of children are cured of cancer. In Ghana, only 25 percent of children are cured. This situation cannot persist as long as we unite on both sides as one world.”
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This initiative marks a crucial step toward ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all children in Ghana, regardless of where they are born. As the project progresses, it holds the promise of saving countless young lives and fostering a brighter future for children in need of specialized medical care.