Health authorities and partners are taking steps to improve survival outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer, as stakeholders meet to validate a draft national nutrition guideline tailored for paediatric oncology care.
The initiative, led by the Ghana Health Service in collaboration with World Child Cancer, aims to address a critical gap in treatment—malnutrition among children undergoing cancer therapy.
At a stakeholder validation meeting, participants reviewed the draft document designed to provide structured, evidence-based nutritional support for young cancer patients across the country. The guideline is expected to standardise care, improve treatment tolerance, and ultimately boost survival rates.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Ignatius Awinbuno of the Ministry of Health highlighted stark global disparities in childhood cancer outcomes. While survival rates exceed 80 percent in high-income countries, many low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana, record rates below 30 percent.
He identified malnutrition as a major contributing factor, stressing that proper nutrition is essential not only for recovery but also for reducing complications during treatment.
Paediatric oncologist Dr Nihad Salifu explained that cancer treatment often affects children’s appetite and ability to retain food, making general nutrition approaches insufficient. She revealed that studies at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital show about 40 percent of child cancer patients arrive already malnourished, with many deteriorating further during treatment.
According to her, the proposed guidelines will ensure consistent nutritional care across all treatment centres, preventing fragmented approaches and enabling better monitoring of patient outcomes nationwide.
The guidelines are also expected to support training for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and nutritionists involved in paediatric cancer care.
Country Coordinator of World Child Cancer, Adwoa Pinamang Boateng Desu, called for broader institutional and corporate support to help implement the framework effectively.
Participants at the meeting agreed on key recommendations and next steps, paving the way for nationwide adoption of the guidelines as part of efforts to strengthen paediatric healthcare delivery in Ghana.
