Public support for child cancer patients needed, say experts

Karachi
Addressing the 16th Foundation Day Ceremony of Children Cancer Center initiated by Child Aid Foundation (CAA) at National Institute of Child Health (NICH), medical experts urged for improved understanding and steady support for children suffering from cancer in the country here on Saturday.
Doctors affiliated with NICH said it has been witnessed parents belonging from remote areas are unable to continue with the treatment of their children as there existed no lodging facility for their cancer inflicted children once they are discharged from the hospital.
It is difficult for them to bring back these kids to Karachi for checkups on regular basis ,they said, regretting that on certain instances medication is also abruptly stopped as the resource less parents noticing marked improvement in the condition of their off spring turn to be sort of complacent.
CAA President Prof Nizam ul Hasan said pediatric oncology unit at NICH Karachi with an induction rate of 20 new cancer patients every month has managed to achieve around 60% cure rate which though is less than that of the best institutions of the world however it can be considered satisfactory due to the prevalent challenging circumstances that are beyond control.
He said CAA has been making steady efforts to enhance and improve quality care provided absolutely free to the child patients and has therefore not only ensured provision for updated medical technology but also upgraded training of the professionals associated with the cancer center, Prof Hasan further added, Despite high morbidity and mortality risks cancer is largely a preventable disease that demanded proper awareness among the public and capacity building of medical professionals.
Dr Salman Burney said blood cancer with 60% cure rate and treatment period of 30 to 36 months was most common in children worldwide including Pakistan.Cancer of Lymphoma another main type among local kids was said to have a recovery rate of 70% with treatment period of three to six months.
Dr Uzma Imam expressed concern by saying cancer among local children is increasing each year due to genetic and environmental factors.