Ordinarily, I would mark this day quietly, but this year I’ve chosen a different path. As a paediatrician, my greatest wish today is to amplify the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves—the children of Ghana. Over the years, I have learned the art of "begging" to support their healthcare and wellbeing, and today I come to your doorstep with outstretched hands and an open heart, seeking your intervention in these critical matters.

During my rounds in the emergency unit, I met *Promise, a child recovering from illness. While his appetite had improved, his meal of banku and soup lacked any source of protein. When I asked his mother, she explained that he “refused” to eat fish, eggs, or meat.

Minutes later, I noticed *Promise fixated on another child’s meal, which included an egg. When the other mother offered him the egg, he devoured it immediately, revealing the real issue: this "vegetarianism: wasn't by choice- it was born out of economic hardship.

This is the story for many children in Ghana.  Rising costs of living are depriving children of balanced diets critical to their growth. Malnutrition is not just a health issue; it affects education, productivity, and the future potential of our nation. Mr. President, I urge you to prioritize economic policies that directly impact the nutritional needs of our children. A well-nourished child is the foundation of a thriving Ghana.

Ghana's NHIS promises free healthcare for children under five, yet in practice, caregivers often pay out-of-pocket for medications, oxygen, and other essentials.

*Baby Elipklim was born prematurely and required oxygen support for two weeks at the NICU. Despite recovering, she remained hospitalized for an additional month—not for medical reasons, but because her peasant parents couldn’t afford her bills. Staying longer exposed her to unnecessary risks like hospital-acquired infections, which could have been avoided with timely discharge.

Mr. President, free healthcare for children under five must become a reality, not just a policy on paper. Like free maternal care, this is an investment in survival. Healthy children are the bedrock of our nation’s future, and ensuring affordable, quality healthcare will pave the way for a healthier, more educated population.

Imagine the heartbreak of parents learning their child’s life depends on dialysis they cannot afford. This was the reality for a 7-year-old *Miracle with severe malaria and acute kidney failure. Already financially drained by medication, blood transfusions, and tests, his family couldn’t bear the cost of the catheter and consumables needed for dialysis.

As healthcare workers, we scrambled to raise funds among ourselves, passing around an “offering bowl” to save his life. But this is not sustainable, nor is it dignified. Mr. President, Ghana needs an equitable healthcare financing system that ensures children requiring specialized care, such as dialysis, are not left to the mercy of charity.

Despite assurances that Ghana’s ambulance services are free, I have witnessed multiple cases where ambulance personnel demand “fuel fees” before transporting critically ill children. The negotiation of these fees delays care, and in some cases, costs lives.

For children in urgent need of referrals—especially newborns—every second counts. Ambulance services must be accessible, genuinely free, and equipped to handle paediatric emergencies. I implore you to address this systemic issue to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

Our hospitals are struggling. Many lack the basic equipment and logistics needed to care for sick children. In my district hospital, we rely on two improvised phototherapy units and lack a single syringe pump to deliver precise medication.

Burnout among healthcare workers is escalating as they stretch themselves thin to compensate for systemic inadequacies. Meanwhile, thousands of trained healthcare professionals remain unemployed. Addressing these gaps—both in resources and human capital—will revitalize our healthcare system and restore hope to healthcare workers and patients alike.

The devastation caused by illegal mining (galamsey) extends far beyond environmental destruction. Contaminated water sources laden with mercury, lead, and other toxins are poisoning children in affected areas, increasing their risk of organ damage and long-term health complications.

Mr. President, combating galamsey is not just an environmental imperative; it is a public health necessity. Strict enforcement of regulations and sustainable alternatives for mining communities will protect both our land and the lives of our children.

In Conclusion, Mr. President, the Ghanaian child is resilient, but resilience alone is not enough. I have seen children fight for their lives with unimaginable strength, but they need a system that fights alongside them. If we make Ghana a child-friendly nation, we will nurture a generation of bright, patriotic leaders who will take this country to greater heights.

My birthday wish today is simple: that the children of Ghana receive the care, protection, and opportunities they deserve. Together, we can make this vision a reality.

God bless our homeland Ghana and make her great and strong.

Thank you.

 

 

Dr. Nelly Adade is a renowned paediatrician and a member of the Paediatric Society of Ghana  

Source: Dr. Nelly Adade

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