West Africa Launches First MSc in Healthcare Play Therapy to Transform Childhood Cancer Care
To mark International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD), World Child Cancer, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, the Ghana Ministry of Health, the University of Health and Allied Sciences, and Amgen, is proud to launch the MSc in Healthcare Play Therapy. This programme, the first of its kind in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa, aims to revolutionise holistic care for children by integrating emotional and psychological support into their treatment.
Emphasising the ‘Learn, Heal, Thrive’ campaign, this initiative recognises that healthcare extends beyond medical intervention. Emotional support, particularly through play therapy, is critical in improving outcomes for children who are admitted as long-term treatment recipients in hospital. The programme will equip professionals with specialised skills to help children cope with the trauma of their diagnosis and treatment. This MSc programme is designed to equip professionals with the specialised skills needed to help children cope with the trauma of diagnosis and treatment, ensuring they receive not only medical care but also essential psychological support.
This milestone is made possible through the generous financial support of Amgen, which is funding the launch, and development of the MSc in Healthcare Play Therapy as well as the first cohort of 20 applicants.
Why This Matters
- 70% of all cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Limited access to holistic, people-centred care is a barrier to improved outcomes for children with cancer.
- Play therapy has been proven to support emotional resilience and improve treatment adherence.
- This MSc programme will build a new workforce of healthcare play specialists trained to provide psychosocial support in hospitals across Ghana and the region.
Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Play Therapy
World Child Cancer remains at the forefront of addressing the global inequality in childhood cancer care. By launching this MSc programme, World Child Cancer aims to equip hospitals and healthcare professionals across Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa with the tools to integrate play therapy into paediatric cancer treatment.
“Healing isn’t just a medical process. For children, especially, having someone who can support and guide you through treatment in a way you can understand is vital to ensuring you can see it through. Expert play therapists are a vital part of the team, because their support means that children have the best chance to learn, heal and thrive. I’m proud that World Child Cancer is leading the way, with the first MSc in Play Therapy in West Africa, in partnership with University of Ghana and supported by Amgen.” – Luke Thomas, CEO, World Child Cancer
Beyond transforming individual patient care, the MSc in Healthcare Play Therapy will strengthen healthcare systems by training professionals to integrate play therapy into paediatric treatment. This initiative directly supports the WHO’s call for holistic, people-centred healthcare while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.
“This MSc will empower healthcare systems across Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa to adopt innovative practices that improve health outcomes for children. By building a strong workforce of healthcare play specialists, the programme sets a precedent for prioritising psychosocial care in paediatric healthcare delivery,” said Ayire Adongo, Regional Coordinator for Sub-Saharan Africa, World Child Cancer
By equipping hospitals with trained specialists, this programme ensures that children heal not only physically but also emotionally, fostering comprehensive and compassionate pediatric care across Ghana and the wider region.
Strengthening Local Expertise in Paediatric Cancer Care
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, limited access to holistic, people-centred care remains a barrier to improving outcomes for children with cancer. This MSc programme seeks to enhance treatment experiences and improve the emotional resilience of children facing long-term hospitalisation.
Prof. Joseph Osafo, the Head of the University of Ghana’s Department of Psychology said, “the importance of providing a locally-led, top-tier MSc in play therapy” will help ensure that Ghana and the wider region benefit from world-class healthcare education.
Along with the University of Ghana, the University of Health and Allied Sciences “is committed to training health professionals across disciplines. Healthcare play therapy is an essential part of holistic care for sick children. We are dedicated to developing a strong workforce of trained specialists to serve Ghana and the wider African continent.” – Prof. Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor, University of Health and Allied Sciences.
A Global Step Toward Holistic Paediatric Cancer Care
The MSc in Healthcare Play Therapy also aligns with global efforts to improve childhood cancer care through psychosocial interventions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasised the critical role of play therapy in reducing anxiety, pain, and distress among children undergoing treatment.
“Play therapy is a powerful tool in reducing anxiety, pain, and distress for children with cancer, enhancing their well-being during treatment. In collaboration with the University of Ghana, World Child Cancer is strengthening childhood cancer care through the launch of Healthcare Play Therapy training. WHO celebrates this initiative as a vital step toward advancing GICC goals and improving quality care for children with cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa.” – Dr. Roberta Ortiz, WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, Technical Lead, Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, Disability and Rehabilitation
This global movement towards people-centered care; shifting the focus from disease-centric treatment to holistic, community-driven healthcare is at the core of the programme. As Ulrika Årehed Kågström, President of UICC, states: “By placing individuals and communities at the centre of decisions, health systems become more effective and cancer care more compassionate, leading to higher survival rates, and improved quality of life. Every person touched by cancer is unique in their experiences and requirements. The cancer community is united in its determination to see improvements in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and care for everyone.”
People-centered care means delivering health and cancer services at the right time, in the right place, and in the right way, tailored to each individual’s needs. It includes community health programmes, cultural competence training for healthcare providers, health literacy initiatives, and patient navigation programmes. This approach has proven to lead to improved patient well-being, higher quality care, and increased trust in healthcare providers while boosting health equity and healthcare efficiency.
The MSc in Healthcare Play Therapy will contribute to this movement by providing a new generation of specialists trained in psychosocial cancer care, empowering children and families to take an active role in their recovery and overall well-being.
Conclusion
With growing recognition of the importance of psychosocial support in paediatric cancer care, the launch of the MSc in Healthcare Play Therapy represents a transformative moment in Ghana’s healthcare landscape. This initiative will strengthen healthcare systems, empower professionals, and improve outcomes for children with cancer across Sub-Saharan Africa.
About World Child Cancer
World Child Cancer is a leading international children’s charity dedicated to addressing the global inequality in childhood cancer care. Established in 2007, the organization believes that every child with cancer, regardless of where they live, should have equal access to the best possible treatment and care. World Child Cancer works to improve diagnosis, treatment, and support for children with cancer and their families in low- and middle-income countries. Their comprehensive approach includes improving treatment, providing family support, promoting early diagnosis, and advocating for better healthcare policies.
worldchildcancer.org
