Bara gets ‘dream room’ geared for kids with cancer

Annually, almost 100,000 of the deaths in children younger than 15 are due to cancer and more than 90% of these occurred in low- and middle-income countries like South Africa, according to Dr Gita Naidu, head of the paediatric oncology unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Children suffering from cancer in developing countries accounted for 2%, compared with 0.5% in Europe and North America, said Naidu.

Quoting figures from the World Development Report and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Naidu said behind the high prevalence of the disease in low- and middle-income countries were:

• The late detection of cancer in children, making treatment ineffective; and
• Treatment being complicated by comorbidities such as malnutrition, HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, affordability and restricted access to treatment and care.

Naidu warned: “Mortality is high in developing countries – 80% of young cancer patients die in Africa alone.

“Of greater concern is that many patients die from undiagnosed cancer.

“With continued socioeconomic development, the proportion of deaths from cancer is likely to increase in developing countries – especially in young people.

“As we witness South Africa making the transition to an upper middle-income country, we know that this will result in an increase in incidence of childhood cancer.

“The rate and extent of a country’s transition and progression affects the patterns of the disease.

“Development adds to the existing high burden of infectious diseases and increases the incidence of cancer and other noncommunicable diseases – the so-called double burden of diseases.”

While 80% of children with cancer in high-income countries survive, the same cannot be said of low- and middle-income countries.

“Eighty percent of the African population has no access to radiotherapy, cancer surgery, basic chemotherapeutic drugs or the infrastructure needed for basic cancer care,” said Naidu. “Unfortunately, the most important determinant of outcome for a child with cancer is where he or she is born.”

Chris Hani Baragwanath is the largest hospital in the country and the second-biggest in Africa, which monthly sees about 650,700 children in its outpatient clinic.

Its paediatric oncology unit yesterday received a major boost from health giant Discovery, which sponsored the construction of the new and well-equipped Discovery dream room.

Geared to inspire young cancer patients, the dream room is equipped with facilities for children to have fun – an important factor in driving hope and healing to those living with cancer.

“We are grateful to Discovery and Reach for a Dream, which has made thousands of dreams of our children to come true,” Naidu said.

Through the Kids Kicking Cancer programme, patients are taught martial arts techniques like meditative breathing to lower pain levels and fight the fear of cancer, according to instructor Su dal Col.

Dr Anelisiwe Balfour, a registrar at the unit, said: “Having been in the paediatric ward for two months, it has been quite emotional for me.

“We think cancer does not affect children and families. Children need attention, love and care.

“It is lovely to see a company helping to alleviate the pain and suffering of children.”

– brians@citizen.co.za

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