Bhubaneswar, Sep 30 : AIIMS Bhubaneswar is going to start Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the Medical Oncology/Hematology department for the needy children
suffering from cancer.
Speaking at a special function organised to create awareness about childhood cancer, AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas said AIIMS Bhubaneswar, has been
rendering holistic, quality and affordable care to the children with cancer through a
multidisciplinary approach.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar not only cater to Odisha, but also pediatric patients from the nearby states like West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
The outcome in pediatric cancers has changed from seemingly incurable diseases to survival exceeding 80-90 per cent in the last 50 years, said Dr. Sonali Mohapatra, Addl. Prof. Dept. of
Medical Oncology/Hematology AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
In the current era, more than 75-80 per cent of childhood cancer patients can be cured completely, with survival exceeding 90 per cent in certain cancers like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (blood cancer), lymphomas and renal tumours, informed Dr. Mohapatra.
The department has registered more than 1200 children with cancer and currently treats around 250-300 new patients per year, Dr. Biswas said.
To increase awareness on various aspects of childhood cancer, the department on Saturday organised series of programmes like walkathon, patient/parent and doctor interaction.
However, pediatric oncology in India is still a work in progress. The outcomes in Indian subcontinent often lag behind the western counterparts due to Various factors like delayed diagnosis, delayed referral, treatment abandonment and poor socioeconomic and educational conditions contribute to the suboptimal outcomes.
Thus, an integrated, multidisciplinary and holistic approach is the need of the hour to overcome these obstacles.
In collaboration with various Govt. and non-government organizations (NGOs), the national Institute also provides social/financial support and shelter homes to the poor and needy children to enable them to complete therapy.
September is observed as Childhood Cancer awareness month worldwide, and the Golden Ribbon is the dedicated logo associated with it.
