The Paediatric Oncology Unit of the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) was filled with relief and joy after the mother of a four-year-old child battling kidney cancer received confirmation that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, MahamaCares, had fully covered her daughter’s treatment.

The Fund paid a total of GH¢46,000 for the treatment of Elsa Klabi, covering chemotherapy, supportive care and surgery.

Overcome with emotion, Elsa’s mother, Ms Esther Addeh, broke down in tears as she expressed gratitude to the Government for the timely intervention, which she said had saved her daughter’s life.

Elsa, a native of Kpando in the Volta Region, was diagnosed with a large intra-abdominal mass caused by Wilms’ tumour, a childhood cancer that affects the kidney.

She had been on admission at the Ho Teaching Hospital for the past six months, enduring severe pain and discomfort while her family struggled to raise funds for the urgent surgery she required.

Speaking on the case, Dr Kokou Amegan-Aho, a Paediatric Oncologist at the Ho Teaching Hospital, explained that Elsa’s treatment, including surgery, had been delayed due to financial difficulties.

Relief came when MahamaCares intervened and paid the full cost of the treatment, allowing doctors to proceed with the life-saving operation.

Ms Addeh, a petty trader, had earlier appealed for help through social media to the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu. She said the Minister contacted the Chief Executive Officer of the Ho Teaching Hospital, Dr Hintermann K. K. Mbroh, which led to the intervention by MahamaCares.

She said without the support of MahamaCares, her family would not have been able to afford the surgery or the related medical care.

“This support has saved my daughter’s life. I am grateful to the Government and everyone behind MahamaCares,” she said.

The Ho Teaching Hospital joined the family in commending the Government for the foresight, compassion and commitment shown through the MahamaCares initiative, describing it as a vital lifeline for vulnerable patients who require specialised and costly medical care.