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May 14, 2026
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Rising cases of chronic diseases among children worrying – Obuobia Darko-Opoku
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Key Points
- The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, has voiced concern over the increasing number of children diagnosed with chronic and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
- She noted a surprising prevalence of conditions like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension among children, based on her interactions with patients and visits to oncology centres.
- Darko-Opoku stressed the urgent need for stronger interventions in specialized healthcare delivery to address this alarming trend.
- The Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established to support treatment, medical research, infrastructure, and specialist healthcare training for chronic illnesses, supplementing NHIS coverage.
- World Health Organisation data indicates NCDs are linked to about 43% of deaths in Ghana, with health experts also noting rising rates in younger populations.
Why This Matters
This issue is significant for Ghana as the rising incidence of chronic diseases in children threatens the nation's future health and productivity. It highlights critical gaps in specialized healthcare, necessitating substantial investment in medical infrastructure, research, and expert training to mitigate long-term societal and economic burdens.
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