Achieving universal coverage of childhood cancers in Ghana via the National Health Insurance Scheme: A stakeholder analysis.
Childhood cancers present a significant health problem and contribute to global child mortality. Low- and middle-income countries experience higher rates of childhood cancers with survival rates between 10% and 50%. In Ghana, about 2,500 children are diagnosed with cancer annually. Despite availabil...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | PLOS Global Public Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004871 |
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| author | Richmond Owusu Lieke Fleur Heupink Godwin Gulbi Brian Asare Ivy Amankwah Emmanuella Abassah-Konadu Desmond Dzidzornu Otoo Joycelyn Azeez Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt Lydia Dsane-Selby Ruby Aileen Mensah Saviour Yevutsey William Omane-Adjekum Francis Ruiz Mohamed Gad Justice Nonvignon Lumbwe Chola Ghana Health Technology Assessment Technical Working Group |
| author_facet | Richmond Owusu Lieke Fleur Heupink Godwin Gulbi Brian Asare Ivy Amankwah Emmanuella Abassah-Konadu Desmond Dzidzornu Otoo Joycelyn Azeez Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt Lydia Dsane-Selby Ruby Aileen Mensah Saviour Yevutsey William Omane-Adjekum Francis Ruiz Mohamed Gad Justice Nonvignon Lumbwe Chola Ghana Health Technology Assessment Technical Working Group |
| author_sort | Richmond Owusu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Childhood cancers present a significant health problem and contribute to global child mortality. Low- and middle-income countries experience higher rates of childhood cancers with survival rates between 10% and 50%. In Ghana, about 2,500 children are diagnosed with cancer annually. Despite availability of effective management strategies, childhood cancers are not fully integrated into the NHIS, leaving patients and caregivers to make out-of-pocket payments leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment abandonment. Although stakeholders have made efforts to address the issue, the various stakeholders in childhood cancer management and their roles are still unclear. The study sought to identify and analyze stakeholders involved and challenges in childhood cancer management and financing in Ghana. A stakeholder analysis was conducted which included a rapid review of policy documents and a stakeholder engagement workshop. 21 stakeholders were purposively selected and focus group discussions were held with an interview guide at a one-day stakeholder engagement meeting. Stakeholders were categorized using Mendelow's power-interest grid, and their roles, interests, and influence on childhood cancer policies were assessed. Key stakeholders identified included the Ministry of Health, NHIA, healthcare providers, NGOs, WHO, and patient advocacy groups. The Ministry of Health, NHIA, and healthcare providers were primary drivers with high interest and influence. The burden of Burkitt's Lymphoma constituted 30-35% of all childhood cancer cases. Ghana has adapted treatment protocols with some inclusion on the NHIS. However, NHIS tariffs remain low. Challenges in managing Burkitt's Lymphoma included inadequate reimbursement rates, high treatment costs, treatment abandonment, limited access to paediatric oncology specialists and indirect costs such as transportation and accommodation. Achieving universal health coverage through management and financing of childhood cancers in Ghana requires comprehensive policies, equitable financial coverage under the NHIS, enhanced stakeholder collaboration and increased investments in building capacity of paediatric oncologists in Ghana. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e0976665a4b64e6c9eb8e0b4615d9b7b |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2767-3375 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLOS Global Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-e0976665a4b64e6c9eb8e0b4615d9b7b2025-07-25T05:46:24ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLOS Global Public Health2767-33752025-01-0157e000487110.1371/journal.pgph.0004871Achieving universal coverage of childhood cancers in Ghana via the National Health Insurance Scheme: A stakeholder analysis.Richmond OwusuLieke Fleur HeupinkGodwin GulbiBrian AsareIvy AmankwahEmmanuella Abassah-KonaduDesmond Dzidzornu OtooJoycelyn AzeezMartha Gyansa-LutterodtLydia Dsane-SelbyRuby Aileen MensahSaviour YevutseyWilliam Omane-AdjekumFrancis RuizMohamed GadJustice NonvignonLumbwe CholaGhana Health Technology Assessment Technical Working GroupChildhood cancers present a significant health problem and contribute to global child mortality. Low- and middle-income countries experience higher rates of childhood cancers with survival rates between 10% and 50%. In Ghana, about 2,500 children are diagnosed with cancer annually. Despite availability of effective management strategies, childhood cancers are not fully integrated into the NHIS, leaving patients and caregivers to make out-of-pocket payments leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment abandonment. Although stakeholders have made efforts to address the issue, the various stakeholders in childhood cancer management and their roles are still unclear. The study sought to identify and analyze stakeholders involved and challenges in childhood cancer management and financing in Ghana. A stakeholder analysis was conducted which included a rapid review of policy documents and a stakeholder engagement workshop. 21 stakeholders were purposively selected and focus group discussions were held with an interview guide at a one-day stakeholder engagement meeting. Stakeholders were categorized using Mendelow's power-interest grid, and their roles, interests, and influence on childhood cancer policies were assessed. Key stakeholders identified included the Ministry of Health, NHIA, healthcare providers, NGOs, WHO, and patient advocacy groups. The Ministry of Health, NHIA, and healthcare providers were primary drivers with high interest and influence. The burden of Burkitt's Lymphoma constituted 30-35% of all childhood cancer cases. Ghana has adapted treatment protocols with some inclusion on the NHIS. However, NHIS tariffs remain low. Challenges in managing Burkitt's Lymphoma included inadequate reimbursement rates, high treatment costs, treatment abandonment, limited access to paediatric oncology specialists and indirect costs such as transportation and accommodation. Achieving universal health coverage through management and financing of childhood cancers in Ghana requires comprehensive policies, equitable financial coverage under the NHIS, enhanced stakeholder collaboration and increased investments in building capacity of paediatric oncologists in Ghana.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004871 |
| spellingShingle | Richmond Owusu Lieke Fleur Heupink Godwin Gulbi Brian Asare Ivy Amankwah Emmanuella Abassah-Konadu Desmond Dzidzornu Otoo Joycelyn Azeez Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt Lydia Dsane-Selby Ruby Aileen Mensah Saviour Yevutsey William Omane-Adjekum Francis Ruiz Mohamed Gad Justice Nonvignon Lumbwe Chola Ghana Health Technology Assessment Technical Working Group Achieving universal coverage of childhood cancers in Ghana via the National Health Insurance Scheme: A stakeholder analysis. PLOS Global Public Health |
| title | Achieving universal coverage of childhood cancers in Ghana via the National Health Insurance Scheme: A stakeholder analysis. |
| title_full | Achieving universal coverage of childhood cancers in Ghana via the National Health Insurance Scheme: A stakeholder analysis. |
| title_fullStr | Achieving universal coverage of childhood cancers in Ghana via the National Health Insurance Scheme: A stakeholder analysis. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Achieving universal coverage of childhood cancers in Ghana via the National Health Insurance Scheme: A stakeholder analysis. |
| title_short | Achieving universal coverage of childhood cancers in Ghana via the National Health Insurance Scheme: A stakeholder analysis. |
| title_sort | achieving universal coverage of childhood cancers in ghana via the national health insurance scheme a stakeholder analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004871 |
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