It was high spirits and joy on the faces of children suffering various forms of cancers when children from Little Haven School visited the pediatric oncology unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital with Christmas presents.
In contrast to clinic days when children go through agonizing cancer treatment procedures; clinic day was a delightful experience as Special and usual kids from the inclusive school sang Christmas carols to bring some life to the wards.
Headmistress for the School Cate Kwakye Marfo underscored the school’s priority to imbibe the virtue of sharing in all its students as exemplified by the gift of Christ in Christmas.
“We want the children to know that sometimes we have more than enough and we can share with others who are in need. We want them to know that it is important to look out for others in the community who may not be as fortunate as they are,” she stated.
The items donated at the initiative of the children included biscuits, sweets, toiletries, drinks, a Christmas tree and decorations for the ward.
Little Samuel Kofi Nhyiraba Abayatey one of the several special children from little haven was glad to share with Ultimate News what he brought to the children living with cancers.
Head of the Pediatric Oncology Unit Dr Vivian Paintsil was elated as she explained how much relief such gestures bring to these children who are undergoing various forms of cancer treatment procedures.
She noted, “this is the time to make these children happy because the disease they are going through is grave and in itself able to make them sad. With all these donations, they will eat, they will drink and that is the small things you can do to make the children happy. As they go home they go with a bright smile on their faces.”
Dr Paintsil further called for government to ensure availability of cancer medications and further increase the number of childhood cancers covered by National Health Insurance.
“Currently the National Health Insurance is covering four cancers but they are more cancers. Then again, the call will be for them to ensure every drug for these cancers are available even though prices of every medication has shot up these days, she beckoned.”
Parents who joined the children to make the presentations were appreciative of the virtues inculcated in the children.
“It’s a good opportunity. The kids love the idea to share with others. It makes me know that people are learning to be part of the bigger society to support persons in need, “a father Blondel Abayitey told reporter Ivan Heathcote Fumador.
The childhood cancer unit of the tertiary referral center received 175 new cases of childhood cancers of all forms in the year 2022 bringing to fore, the need for more interventions to support patients who will need tens if not hundreds of thousands to go through treatment.
By: Ivan Heathcote – Fumador