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. 2014 Jan;3(1):78-82.
doi: 10.4103/2278-330X.126548.

Overview of pediatric oncology and hematology in Myanmar

Jay Halbert  1 , Aye Aye Khaing  2
Affiliations

Overview of pediatric oncology and hematology in Myanmar

Jay Halbert et al. South Asian J Cancer. 2014 Jan.

Abstract

Myanmar is a country in southeast Asia in political, economic and healthcare transition. There are currently only two pediatric oncology centers serving a population of almost 19 million children. An estimated 85-92% of children with cancer are undiagnosed or not receiving treatment. Abandonment of treatment is as high as 60%. Although a number of chemotherapy agents are available, difficulties remain concerning treatment costs, quality control and the availability of supportive care. Radiotherapy services are also limited and not usually included in pediatric protocols. Healthcare professional training, improved diagnostics, strategies to tackle abandonment of treatment and the development of a parents' support group are major priorities. Local and international partnerships including a recent partnership with world child cancer are essential in the interim to support the development of pediatric oncology and hematology in Myanmar. A unique opportunity exists to support the development of preventive, diagnostic, curative and palliative care for children's cancer in Myanmar from the outset.

Keywords: Burma; Myanmar; hematology; oncology; pediatric.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Location of pediatric oncology centres in Myanmar. Pediatric Oncology Centers in Yangon and Mandalay. Radiotherapy Centres in Yangon, Mandalay, and Taunggyi. Reproduced with kind permission from the Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU) http://www.themimu.info
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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