PANAJI
Exhorting the State government to make cancer prevention an integral part of public health intervention, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sought the strengthening of the State's Cancer Registry vis-a-vis surveillance, estimating trends and prevention efforts."Cancer prevention should be made an integral part of the health interventions and should be rapidly extended to primary healthcare," the GSPCRC said in a statement after a programme it held for children living with cancer and their families on Sunday which was also observed at 'International Childhood Cancer Day'.
The event was organised at the Hotel Novotel Resorts & Spa at Candolim in collaboration with Sabrcare Trust and in which a team of Goa Medical College headed by Oncology Consultant, Dr Anupamma Borkar also partook.
Over 30 children attended the programme where awareness on deeper understanding of the challenges faced by children and adolescents with cancer, survivors and their families was imparted.
The event, sponsored by the resort, also included fun-filled activities, including dance and games curated by Melford Ferrao and Magician Sadik, wherein the young with cancer were paid tribute for their bravery, courage, and resilience.
Dr Borkar and her team of doctors, nurses and caregivers from the Goa Medical College were also recognised for their dedicated services to children with cancer.
GSCPCR chairperson, Peter Borges acknowledged the "unimaginable challenges" faced courageously and with inspiring strength by the children with cancer.
He commended the quality care provided by the GMC medical oncology team and Sabrcare Trust even as he highlighted the need to close the psychological and social protection gaps in cancer care.
Borges said, countless obstacles are faced by caregivers, mostly tied to one’s financial means, including transport to hospitals from remote locations, inability to take time off work or find childcare to accommodate screening or treatment, lack of health insurance among other issues.
He also called for support to families of children with cancer, especially concerning finances as none of them should go bankrupt, lose assets or become impoverished when a child gets sick with cancer.
"Access to best possible treatment, care and support is their human right, not a privilege," Borges added.
