90,000 children die of cancer each year globally

Bangladesh Observer
Wednesday 17 August 2005

More than 80 per cent of childhood cancer in Bangladesh is preventable if the detecting facilities be increased and improved in the country.

Except in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, no posts of child oncologists have been created in the 13 government Medical College Hospitals as yet, said eminent child specialist Dr MR Khan at a press conference organised by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) in partnership with sanofi-aventis, which launched a call for projects in 10 pilot countries to fight against childhood cancers under the banner "my child matters", at the National Press Club on Tuesday.

To encourage innovative projects and the sharing of experience, especially among developing countries, the call for projects has been launched in the following ten states: Bangladesh, Egypt, Honduras, Morocco, Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam.

50 thousand euros (42 lakh Taka) will be available for projects selected by the UICC childhood cancer campaign advisory steering committee, to each project in the first year. The support may be extended in the subsequent year.

"These projects should raise awareness of the challenges of childhood cancers, strengthen prevention, early detection and protocols of treatment, improve the quality of care and support for children living with cancer and for their families, or take into account more fully the social aspects of this disease," said Dr Dabiruddin Ahmed, Manager Oncology, sanofi-aventis, at the press conference.

All institutions or organisations that demonstrate innovative and practical approaches to information, prevention and the medical and psychosocial care and support of children living with cancer have been invited to submit a project.

Each year, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide and approximately 90,000 died, it was told at the Press conference.

Professor MA Mannan, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dr Rezaul Farid Khan Director, Medical and Regalatory Aftairs and M. Nasiruddin, Director Business Development and Support also took part at the press conference.

Supporting the global cancer control project of UICC, Professor MA Mannan said existing medical facilities of the BSMMU is good. "Higher expense appears to be depriving almost 44 per cent of the children diagnosed with cancer in this hospital," he lamented.

He said in Bangladesh 3 thousand US dollars are needed for treating boyhood cancer of acute lymphangitis.

Responding to a question he suggested for feeding babies breast milk, avoid smoking in front of children and avoid adulterated food.