45-bed paediatric cancer ward to open at Cancer 14 Apr 2009, 0009 hrs IST,
Bhama Devi Ravi, TNN
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CHENNAI: Multi-disciplinary treatment of paediatric
cancer<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#>has
increased the survival rate of children with the disease from 10% in
the
1950s to almost 80% today. The Adyar Cancer Institute will take another
decisive step towards treatment of cancer in children with the opening of a
45-bed paediatric cancer ward on Tuesday.
Six years after he gave a scintillating performance to raise funds for the
Mahesh Memorial trust, A R Rahman will inaugurate the ward. The Rs 3.5
crore, state of the art facility has been done up keeping in mind the
medical<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#>and
emotional needs of young sufferers. A Biswajit painting, a bright,
colourful tableau, complete with children enjoying themselves in the zoo,
the light house and more welcomes visitors, as does a huge wall mosaic done
with bright butterfly motiffs. The rooms too have wall panels painted with
cheerful sunflowers and happy children.
"The new care centre will offer a combination of medical care, quality
service by people conversant with treatment of chemotherapy and special
attention," said Dr V Shantha, chairman, Adyar Cancer Institute.
"Leukamia and
lymphomas<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#>,
which constitute 50 % of all paediatric cancers are curable, provided they
are detected early. However, since the patients are susceptible to
infection, they need devoted, committed and comprehensive care," added Dr
Shantha. According to her, the incidence of paediatric cancer ranges between
10. 5 and 11. 5 per 100,000 people in Chennai. "The basic difficulty in
treatment lies in lack of awareness among parents. They bring them in too
late," she added.
The institute, which sees about 300 children every year, is one of the few
centres in the country offering quality medical care at affordable cost.
Only 40% of patients here pay for the services, while the rest avail of free
wards. The cost of
drug<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#>and
supportive care (non-hospitalisation) ranges between Rs 1.5 to Rs 2
lakh
for treatment over 18-months.
According to Dr T G Sagar, dean, College of Oncological Sciences, affiliated
to MGR Medical University, "A paediatric speciality ward is necessary since
children are highly chemo sensitive. They also need a multi disciplinary
treatment and protocol based
therapy<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#>(customized
drug schedule)," he added. "If treatment is compromised, then
the chances of cure are at stake," he added. Sagar further said that
protocol-based therapy, developed by Dr Shantha at the institute, which has
become the national standard, has yielded 55% better results in the five and
ten year time frame of treatment. "Lifelong follow-up is important for all
paediatric cancer survivors," said Dr Shantha.
The Mahesh Memorial Trust was founded in memory of music director Mahesh
(who had worked in films, Vaanam Vasapadum' and Nammavar') who died of
cancer in 2002. The new facility would be operational in two months, said Dr
Shantha.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms
--
regards,
Vithur
