World Childhood Cancer Day is celebrated every year on the 15th of February. But as it was a government holiday in Bangladesh, it was celebrated on 16th this year in BSMMU. International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors, and their families. I took part actively today. There was a rally followed by an art competition of childhood cancer survivors. Later, a scientific session was held.
Every year, more than 400,000 children and adolescents below 20 are diagnosed with cancer. The rate of survival depends on the region, with 80% survival in most high-income countries but as low as 20% only in low- and middle-income countries. The target goal of the WHO Global Childhood Cancer Initiative is to eliminate all pain and suffering of children fighting cancer and achieve at least 60% survival for all children diagnosed with cancer around the world by 2030. This represents an approximate doubling of the current cure rate and will save an additional one million children’s lives over the next decade. Source
Every year, about three lakh children are affected by cancer in the world. In Bangladesh, this number is 9 to 12 thousand. The speakers presented this information at a scientific gathering organized at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on the occasion of World Childhood Cancer Day. The Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology of the university organized this seminar today (February 16). It was presided over by the Head of the Department, Professor Dr. Md. Anwarul Karim. At the same time, a colorful rally and painting competition were organized on the occasion of the day.
While inaugurating the rally, the university’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman Howlader, emphasized the introduction of Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) to ensure treatment of children suffering from cancer. He assured support in this regard from the university administration. At the same time, he emphasized ensuring world-class treatment at BSMMU.
While presenting an article on the improvement of leukemia treatment, Professor Dr. Md. Anwarul Karim presented a comparative analysis of BSMMU’s treatment with the medical system of developed countries. He said, “If we detect the disease at the early stage and receive regular treatment, it is possible to increase the number of cancer survivors with the existing medical system in our country.”
However, expressing disappointment, he said, “Most families still come to the last stage for treatment, when doctors have nothing to do. The main purpose of today’s awareness program is to increase awareness among the general public so that they receive prompt and proper treatment.”
Discussors in the scientific session said that children can also get cancer; it is not a new disease. Quoting the World Health Organization, they said that childhood cancer refers to cancer in people under the age of 18. Every year, about three lakh children in the world are affected by cancer.
Childhood cancer day 2023 in BSMMU
Citing the information from the research report titled ‘Childhood Cancer: A Situation Analysis and Challenge, Bangladesh Perspective’, they said that 9–12 thousand children and adolescents are affected by cancer every year in the country.
More than a hundred cancer survivors who have completely recovered from treatment at BSMMU were present at the event. It was also informed in the meeting that about five hundred children who have recovered from treatment at the institution are now living a healthy life.
BSMMU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Professor Dr. ATM Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of the Department of Child Neurology Professor Dr. Kaniz Fatema, Professor Dr. Gopen Kumar Kundu, Director (Hospital) Brigadier General Abu Noman Mohammad Mosleh Uddin, Assistant Professor Dr. Chowdhury Shamsul Haque Kibria, Assistant Professor Dr. Momena Begum, and others were present.
