Mangaluru: KMC Hospital, Attavar observed the International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) at Attavar here on February 15. Dr M V Prabhu, Dean of Kasturba Medical Collage was the Guest of honour.
The Programme began with an invocation. Dr Harsha Prasad, Consultant Paediatric Haematology Oncologist of KMC Hospitals welcomed the gathering. Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional lamp along with the children who are under treatment at KMC Hospital.
Addressing the gathering DC Ibrahim briefed on the need of bridging the gap between the present 40% cure rate in India to the cure rates of 80% in Developed countries. He also said that the food habits of the present generation is missing nutrients and fibres. Children are addicted to junk food which is one of the reason to develop cancer at the early age. Ibrahim urged the mothers to avoid giving junk food to their children and prefer home made healthy food. Make a habit of providing nutritious food to the children so that they can grow healthy. He appreciated the efforts of the department of paediatrics of KMC Hospital, for their services to the young ones in eradicating the deadly disease.
Dr M V Prabhu, Dean, KMC spoke about the need for efforts by the Government by joining hands with private institutions in Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model, which KMC has built in Mangaluru. Dr Prabhu said that KMC institutions are working closely with the Government to treat childhood cancer in the region. He also emphasised on the need of having a participatory Health Insurance with the help of the Government to treat childhood cancer.
Presiding over the function, Dr Kamalakshi Bhat, HOD of Paediatrics, KMC Hospital Mangalore informed the gathering that, one of the child who has taken the treatment for childhood cancer at KMC Hospitals, was successfully cured from the deadly disease and now has completed her MBBS Degree and has become an example and a role model for all those who are fighting cancer at this point of time.
Dr Anand Venugopal, Medical Superintendent of KMC Hospitals Mangaluru, was also present in the programme. The programme was followed by various fun filled activities for kids who are being treated at KMC Hospitals and also for those kids who have successfully fought cancer and are completely cured of the deadly disease. Dr Madhuri, compered the programme and Dr Soundarya, Associate professor of paediatrics, delivered the vote of thanks.