Kathmandu: A national symposium on childhood cancer care has called for stronger coordination, improved access to treatment and a more integrated national approach to childhood cancer in Nepal.
World Child Cancer (WCC), Ramesh Gupta Memorial Trust (RGMT) and TACC jointly organized the National Symposium on Childhood Cancer Care and Stakeholder Engagement in Kathmandu on September 29.
The event brought together representatives from the Government of Nepal, pediatric oncology hospitals, healthcare professionals, professional bodies, foundations, NGOs, parents, childhood cancer survivors and international partners.
Participants reviewed progress in pediatric oncology and discussed continuing gaps in early diagnosis, timely referral, equitable access to treatment, essential medicines and diagnostics, supportive care, nutrition, psychosocial services, family support, survivorship and outcome measurement.
The symposium highlighted the need to give greater priority to childhood cancer within national health programs and strengthen its integration into cancer control and Universal Health Coverage efforts.
Calls for Coordinated National Approach
Participants called for a coordinated national approach with clear responsibilities, measurable targets and defined timelines.
Key recommendations included strengthening community awareness and frontline healthcare-worker training, establishing rapid referral pathways, improving diagnostic services and developing regional and shared-care networks to reduce barriers for families seeking specialized treatment.
The symposium also recommended a national assessment of childhood cancer centers to review workforce capacity, diagnostic services, medicines, treatment facilities, patient safety, supportive care and psychosocial services.
Focus on Quality and Family-Centered Care
Participants emphasized the need for quality and family-centered care, including reliable access to essential medicines and blood products, stronger pediatric oncology nursing capacity and improved chemotherapy and infection-prevention standards.
The recommendations also included strengthening nutritional and psychosocial support, along with palliative care and survivorship services.
Participants further called for stronger national data systems to monitor diagnostic delays, treatment abandonment, treatment completion, relapse, survival and quality of life.
National Coordination Mechanism Proposed
The symposium recommended establishing or strengthening a National Childhood Cancer Coordination Mechanism involving government agencies, hospitals, professional bodies, civil society, families, survivors and international partners.
The proposed mechanism would include an annual review process to monitor progress and strengthen accountability in childhood cancer care across Nepal.
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