Eighty per cent of pediatric oncology can be cured if detected at early stages, said Dr. T. Kasiviswanathan, Head of the Department Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation of Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC) during the annual fundraiser here on Saturday.
According to medical experts at MMHRC, per year 3,000 cases of children with cancer are identified, out of which,Tamil Nadu constitutes or 300 such new cases.
Due to lack of awareness among the public, people do not voluntarily seek doctor’s help.
Symptoms of pediatric cancer can be suspected through seven warnings like excessive blood loss, prologing fever etc but not confirmed without proper tests and through doctor to doctor referral.
MMHRC is fully equipped with full infrastructure to treat pediatric cancer patients. Exclusive dieticians and teachers are recruited to ensure normalcy in their daily routine during treatment.
Around 2,300 children affected by cancer have been treated with an 80% success rate so far, since the inception of the pediatric oncology ward in 2010.
“Beyond medical treatment, love and affection for these children will help them heal more,” said P. Ponmuthuramalingam, Joint Director of Collegiate Education, Madurai.
Around 140 donors were felicitated for their contribution.
As a part of the event, around 70 members performed about 20 folk arts like mayilaattam, kollaatam etc, during a rural cultural event titled, ‘Nativity Waves’ for the treatment of children with cancer in association with True Folk Event Management, Madurai.
