IRISH DOCS FIGHT23 CANCER IN AFRICA
Catherine joins charity saving thousands of children’s lives
Survival rates have rocketed IRISH doctors are saving thousands of cancer-hit children in the developing world, it was revealed yesterday.
A special relationship between paediatricians here and medics in Tanzania has seen an eight-fold jump in survival rates.
Dr Catherine Breen, 28, is one of the volunteers supporting local doctors in East Africa through Irish charity Their Lives Matter.
The Co Wexford woman will work as a registrar in a unit founded by Dr Trish Scanlen in 2006.
She said: “It would have been seen as God’s way. It wouldn’t have been a cultural norm to treat all children with cancer.”
“Survival rates for children with cancer would have been around 10%.
“But that has all changed. Since Trish Scanlen went out and set the charity up survival is around 90%.”
Catherine added new doctors are inspired by her tireless work.
She said: “She went out as a student and saw first-hand the need for oncology treatment.
“She came home and finished her training and then headed back out to Tanzania and set up a paediatric unit.” The charity is also shaping the development of oncology medicine as well as providing care.
Catherine said: “There is a huge focus on training local nurses and doctors. That way the treatment these children need is offered in their local hospitals.”
She added strong links have been forged between Dublin and the Tanzanian capital.
Catherine said: “There affiliation with Crumlin.
“When equipment is updated, as in it is still working but seen as outdated here, it will be sent to Dar es Salaam. “There is really good communication between doctors here and doctors over there.”
In the wake of corporate scandals at a number of charities, Catherine said transparency is key.
She added: “I am going over there as a volunteer, which means I am funding my own flights and living cost over there. Any money I raise will go to the charity.
“The thing I really like is it is 100% accountable. All the money goes towards chemotherapy, supportive treatment, medical equipment and transport to bring children to the hospital.”
To help the charity, visit www.idonate.ie/2187_ we-are-tlm.html.
Dr Catherine Breen
MEDICINE
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