Jigmi Wangdi
The government is taking major strides to improve childhood cancer care amid rising concerns about survival rates.
The recent data from the National Cancer Registry reveals 58 cases of childhood cancer between 2019 and 2022, with 26 cases in boys and 32 in girls aged 0 to 14 years.
Overall, 941 individuals, including 477 males and 464 females, succumbed to various forms of cancer between 2014 and 2018.
The Bhutan Cancer Control Strategy (BCCS) 2019-2025 states that many childhood cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia—the most common diagnosis—are treatable.
The strategy aims to ensure early diagnosis and timely treatment for all affected children, provide prompt treatment, and eliminate delays and address financial barriers.
The strategy highlights the need to mobilise resources, build capacity, and develop infrastructure to improve childhood cancer care.
The WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer aims to achieve at least 60 percent global survival rate and alleviation of suffering from childhood cancer by 2030.
Some of key actions under this strategy include improving services for the management of childhood cancer at the national and regional referral hospitals by training paediatric teams to support childhood cancer and promoting policies to support the completion of treatment (avoiding treatment abandonment) for children with cancer.
During the seventh Meet-the-Press session, Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk said that that currently, in Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), children aged 0 to 12 years are evaluated by the paediatric department and referred abroad for further treatment if diagnosed or suspected of cancer.
Adolescents aged 13 and above undergo assessment by the medical department and are also referred overseas if necessary.
For the regional referral hospitals, the suspected cancer patients are referred to JDWNRH for diagnosis and appropriate management. For follow-up after referral, the patients are sent to relevant departments such as the paediatric department, surgical department, oncology unit, and neurosurgeon if required, Lyonpo said.
The health minister added that the ministry is in the process of strengthening childhood cancer care in the country and plans are in the pipeline to address the gaps.
“One paediatrician will be sent for a fellowship in haemato-oncology who will be trained to diagnose and treat both blood-related disorders and cancers while two medical officers are selected for training in oncology this year. Upon completion of their studies, they can also contribute to childhood cancer care management,” Lyonpo said.
Bhutan will establish a shared care network through the South-East Asia Childhood Cancer Network. This network will build the capacity of current doctors and nurses in paediatric cancer care management.
The health ministry is also collaborating with the Bhutan Cancer Society to advocate and raise awareness on childhood cancer across the country.