Myanmar

Yangon Children’s Hospital has the country’s first paediatric oncology unit in Myanmar, which is led by Dr Aye Aye Khaing.

Programme Centre

Yangon Children’s Hospital, Yangon

Twinning Centres

Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
Dana Farber/Childrens Hospital Boston, USA

Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK

Programme Lead

Dr Aye Aye Khaing

Twinning Leads

Dr Robert Carr (UK)
Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo & Lisa Morrissey (USA)

Contact

Tun Zaw Min

Programme Coordinator

Start Date

June 2014

Impact
Background
Problems
Key Activities

Nearly 3,000 children are expected to develop cancer each year in Myanmar. Due to a lack of awareness about childhood cancer, an inability to accurately diagnose cases and the absence of funding for drugs, the number of newly diagnosed cases is far lower than expected for the country.

In addition to this, many families take their children home early before finishing treatment because of the financial burden of drugs and long stays in hospital. There are only two centres which can provide treatment; Yangon Children’s Hospital and Mandalay Children’s Hospital.

A lack of reliable childhood cancer data in Myanmar
Little or no specialist training for healthcare professionals
Poor diagnostic facilities
Late diagnosis, with children presenting with an advanced stage of disease
A lack of access or funding for chemotherapy or supportive care medicines
Basic palliative care service for children
Abandonment of treatment, often due to financial burden
Little awareness of childhood cancer among the public or healthcare professionals
Limited psycho-social care for patients, families or staff

Develop a reliable electronic childhood cancer database
Develop a training programme for healthcare professionals
Support patients through subsidising drug costs
Reduce abandonment through psycho-social support and education for families
Improve diagnostic techniques and training
Develop a palliative care programme
Regular advocacy to engage policy-makers and local government
Coordination of and training for local support groups
Improve transport facilities for patients and their families
Nutrition supply whilst patients receive treatment

Increase survival rates for diagnosed children by improving quality of care
Share knowledge and develop locally appropriate treatment protocols
Reduce abandonment of treatment due to unaffordability of drugs
Improve knowledge of childhood cancer through professional training
Raise awareness of childhood cancer, symptoms and potential curability
Increase access to care with more children receiving curative and palliative treatment