By Liz Burns | Head of Programmes
Dear Supporters
Since our last visit to Malawi in September 2015 the team have reported that last year they newly diagnosed 248 children with cancer in the paediatric oncology unit at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre. This is in addition to caring for dozens of children every month as outpatients.
As part of our support this year we were able to raise money to buy 2 new ultrasound machines for the unit, which will enable them to quickly and accurately diagnose children with abdomincal malignancies, especially Wilms' tumour. We hope that this new equipment can also help other departments within the paediatric service at QECH, including surgery.
The team, now led by Dr George Chagaluka, reported that in 2015 there was a reduction in the number of induction-related deaths, due to more vigorous monitoring of patients and an increased staff awareness of emergency signs.
Survival rates for children with cancer also continue to increase, especially for children with Burkitt lymphoma, a malignancy often related to malaria incidence in sub-Saharan Africa.
Follow-up of patients remains a challenge in Malawi - children travel from great distances to get to the hospital, and are often not reachable by phone. Ideally an outreach officer or nurse would travel to these patients to ensure that they are not showing signs of relapse, and to check that they remain in good health after finishing treatment. We plan to explore ways to support a follow-up service in Malawi and are investigating the development of this service with the team.
Supportive care has also been increased for patients, with improved availability of drugs for treating side effects and easing the painful symptoms of cancer therapy.Palliative care servcies are also being enhanced, with the increased involvement of a social worker with the ward.
We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our supporters in working with us to make this programme in Malawi possible. The team in Blantyre are extremely passionate and dedicated to improving the lives of children with cancer and do a wonderful job with the limited resources available to them. With your help we can continue supporting their wonderful work.
Thank you
The World Chil Cancer Team
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