Kolkata, 15th February 2019: On the occasion ofInternational Childhood Cancer Day, Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Howrah in association with Cankids Make a Wish Foundation (MAW) organized an awareness programme on Childhood Cancer today at their hospital campus. The programme was attended by Dr. Vivek Agarwala, Consultant Medical & Haemato-Oncology, NH Howrah; Dr. Chandrakant MV, Consultant Medical Oncology, NSH, Howrah; Dr. Sohini Chakraborty, Consultant Heamato Oncology, NSH, Howrah along withMr. Subhasis Bhattacharya, Facility Director, NH Howrah.
The event also witnessed a key note session on various cardiac issues in children, followed by a Sit and Draw competition with Pediatric patients at the hospital premises, who have undergone treatment at the hospital and the best picture was awarded.
“The overall incidence of pediatric cancer has increased day by day. Cancer in children constitutes approximately 5.5% of total cancer cases in India according to the Indian Council for Medical Research. This number has more than doubled from 2.5% in the last ten years. This is a disturbing reality, however, is that only around one in 10 of the childhood cancer cases receives complete therapy. This is very worrisome,as a consequencewhile cure rates for common childhood cancers like lymphoma and leukaemia are over 80% in the developed world, in India, they have remained abysmally low at around 30%.” said Dr. Vivek Agarwala, Consultant Medical & Haemato-Oncology, Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Howrah.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Subhasis Bhattacharya, Facility Director, Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Howrah said, “A survey said cancer is the 9th most common cause for death among children aged 5-14 years in India. As we progress in reducing infection-related childhood deaths, it is important to care for cancer-affected children who have increasing likelihood of cure with appropriate treatment. We, at Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Howrah focus on providing special care & treatment to all the children suffering from cancers. We would like to thank our Superspeciality -disciplinary team of doctorswho work tirelessly and endlessly to revolutionize the face of medicine and medical treatment. We are continuously taking up challenging advanced protocols, providing high-quality treatment with excellent success rates”
