Prioritise fight against cancer in children, State urged

By SITEMBILE SIWAWA

ZAMBIAN Childhood Cancer Foundation (ZACCAF) chairperson Charity Pikiti has urged Government to prioritise the fight against cancer and life threatening blood disorders in children.

Ms Pikiti said in a presentation during the International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15 there is more focus on cancers affecting adults than children.

"We are lobbying Government and stakeholders to support us in the fight against cancers and other life threatening blood disorders in children", Ms Pikiti said.

She said there was need for Government to formulate policies to combat childhood cancers and commit more resources to enhance this fight.

Ms Pikiti disclosed that late detection of cancers in children has been the major cause of deaths in Zambia and will continue if intervention measures are not in place.

Meanwhile, University Teaching Hospital (UTH) consultant paediatrician Pauline Sambo said there are over 250 children in the country with various cancers and it takes about 18 months to treat cancer in the children.

Dr Sambo said many cancers in children are curable if they are detected early and there is optimal treatment with proper support and resources.

"The Neupogen drug used in the treatment of cancer is expensive costing as much as US$45,000", she said.

She appealed to government to make the drug available adding that it was important to carry out awareness campaigns on cancer in children.

"Health workers not only from within Lusaka but in far flung areas need to undergo training on how to treat cancer in children.

However, Dr Sambo said for the past two to four years many children have been free from cancer and life threatening blood disorders due to constant support from corporations and Government.

Kalima Kwenda whose son is suffering from Lymphoma cancer bemoaned the lack of Neupogen in stock.

She said bemoaned the high cost of drugs which the parents have to buy when they are not available in hospitals.

"Children with cancer need to be put on a special diet but when a child is admitted in the hospital where does the parent get money to buy nutritious foods from required as part of the treatment?" she asked.

Ms Kwenda urged parents to pay attention to any changes they see on their children seriously and rush them to hospitals immediately.