Health experts are expressing concern over the National Health Insurance Scheme's low level of support for children with cancer.

A medical practitioner at the Department of Child Health at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Francisca Boateng, highlighted the significant financial burden faced by guardians in Ghana when treating children with cancer, especially when the diagnosis is delayed.

It is crucial for families to receive adequate support in managing their children's cancer, given the high costs involved, she stressed.

In 2021, government announced the inclusion of childhood cancer in the NHIS Benefit Package.

This coverage extends to the diagnosis and treatment of four types of childhood cancers: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Burkitt Lymphoma, Retinoblastoma, and Wilms Tumor.

However, according to Dr. Boateng, parents are still receiving very little support despite the existence of this policy.

“So far, the majority of the cost is still being borne by the family and by organizations that are supporting these children with cancer,” she said on Wednesday.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, the doctor explained that “we are not seeing much of the support from the NHIS because they still have to pay for 90% or 95% of their medication, doing all of that so I don't see the National Health Insurance now."

This lack of adequate financial coverage raises concerns among health professionals, as many families struggle to manage the financial burden of their children's cancer treatment without sufficient support from the national health insurance system.

Her stance was backed by her colleague, Dr Daniella Akrasi-Sarpong, also with the KBTH's Department of Child Health.

Together, they advocated for early diagnosis to increase the survival rate of children living with cancer in the country.