Symposium calls for coordinated national approach to childhood cancer
Summary
A national symposium in Kathmandu has called for a coordinated approach to improve childhood cancer diagnosis, referral, treatment and long-term support in Nepal. Participants urged stronger policy priority, better data systems and a national coordination mechanism to close gaps in care.
Key Points
- The National Symposium on Childhood Cancer Care and Stakeholder Engagement in Kathmandu highlighted major gaps in diagnosis, referral, treatment access and supportive care for children with cancer in Nepal.
- Participants called for childhood cancer to receive higher priority in national health policies and to be integrated into cancer-control and Universal Health Coverage efforts.
- The symposium recommended a coordinated national framework, stronger community awareness, trained frontline workers and improved diagnostic and referral pathways.
- It also urged better national data systems and a Childhood Cancer Coordination Mechanism involving government, hospitals, civil society, families and international partners.
