KMC Hospital Attavar observes International Childhood Cancer Day

KMC Hospital Attavar observes International Childhood Cancer Day

Mangaluru: Kasturba Medical College Hospital Attavar, the only Hospital in the District to have a Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Specialty to provide specialized cancer treatment to children observed International childhood cancer day on Thursday 15th February 2018 at Sanjeevini Hall, 7th-floor KMC Hospital Attavar.

International Childhood Cancer Day is celebrated worldwide with special events/outings for children with cancer and their families, its main aim being to spread awareness on central message that CHILDHOOD CANCER IS CURABLE.

The program was Inaugurated by Tulu & Kannada Film Actor Prathik Shetty, who said, “The Hands That Heal are much Better than the Lips That Pray “. There is lot of efforts put by the Doctors & Nurses who are treating the Children with cancer and that is why the Medical Fraternity is looked upon as Godly natured by the Patients & their relatives.

Apart from Clinical team, the general public also should realise their role in supporting Morally & Financially where a large number of people contributing a bit also accumulates a huge support for the Economically weaker parents who already are emotionally burdened by the fact that their child is fighting this deadly disease.

Giving an example he thanked & Appreciated the Team INFINITY (Nishpanna Designers & Lól Studio) who specially had designed a Calendar 2018 with Girl Children who were on Cancer Treatment and thus Raised Funds which was Donated on this occasion for the Treatment of poor Cancer Children at KMC Hospital Attavar.

Dr Harsha Prasad, Pediatric Hematogist & Oncologist at KMC Hospital Mangaluru stated that International Childhood Cancer Day is based on Childhood Cancer International’s (CCI) core belief that every child with cancer deserves the best possible medical and psychosocial care, regardless of country of origin, race, financial status or social class.

He also stated that through this activity KMC Hospital wants to spread the awareness that childhood cancer deaths are avoidable, with timely and accurate diagnosis, availability and access to proper treatment and care as well as affordable, good quality essential medicines.

Speaking on this year’s Theme “MERA BACHPANN, MERA HAQ, MERA JEEVAN” ( I DESERVE MY CHILDHOOD LIFE) which means that Even the Children Suffering from Cancer also deserve their childhood life like any other children as this is the time to be carefree, playful and have fun. But sadly the children who suffer from cancer are made to believe that Fighting cancer is their ONLY priority and they are deprived of their basic childhood rights as every year more than 50,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in India.

Hence this program is an effort to celebrate their childhood and communicate that child with cancer should not just be treated as Victims but should be allowed to be a child first by the parents & Society.

Highlighting the Predominant role of Parents in treatment of Childhood Cancer, Dr Harsha told that the Response scenario to Childhood Cancer has positively changed from 20 years ago when it was not even acceptable that A disease like Cancer can happen to children and the Parents psychological state was the first barrier for the Collective wellness & treatment of Cancer in Children .

Dr Alfred J Augustine, Associate Dean KMC Mangaluru spoke that the heroes of the day are the Clinical staff & Parents of the Children who told that it is very difficult to stand as a parent to a child suffering from cancer, stand up by their children and support them in all aspects and fight back the disease. He said that the parents play a vital role in a child’s recovery and also such parents stand as a motivating example to other parents who get the sad news that their child is diagnosed with cancer.

Dr Anand Venugopal, Medical Superintendent of KMC Hospitals Mangaluru stated that Manipal Academy of Higher Education has always been a forerunner in Providing Quality Healthcare at Affordable cost. This aligns with the vision of the Founder of Manipal group Padmashri Late Dr T.M. A Pai who wanted to get rid of some of the basic problems facing the society i.e ILL HEALTH, ILLITERACY & POVERTY.

Innovations have always been one of the continuous efforts of KMC Hospitals apart from pioneering the First Cancer Hospital in the Dakshina Kannada District, the Department of Adult & Child Cancer services has always been updated with latest Equipment & Upgradation of skills of Clinical Staff.

KMC Hospital Attavar has recently upgraded its Radiation Oncology Dept. Linear Accelerator with Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment for Cancer patients. The High-End HD Brachytherapy is also in installation.

Dr Anand also shared that a Manipal Group is the first to bring in Indian, a Software called IBM Watson the latest technology with cognitive computing system which has been particularly designed to support the oncology community. This is a great module that allows physicians to consider treatment options with their patients.

Dr Kamalakshi Bhat –Head of Department, Pediatrics said that apart from Bangalore KMC Hospital Attavar was the First in Karnataka to start treatment of Child Cancers and has a full-fledged pediatric department with a dedicated unit for Pediatric Cancer and is fully equipped with state of the art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (N.I.C.U) , Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (P.I.C.U) to handle all type of Child emergencies and a team of experienced Pediatric Surgery team making it one of the trusted Child Care centers in the Region.

As a part to entertain to the Children different activities were conducted by RJ ERROL of. 92.7. BIG FM

There was also a Magic Show by Rajesh Malli which resulted in participatory entertainment for the Childhood cancer survivors & their parents.