GIVING HOPE TO CHILDREN WITH CANCER

THE Southern Philippine Medical Center has earned recognition as a premier institution when it comes to treatment of children with cancer.

Now with the newly inaugurated SPMC Cancer Institute, which houses the Children's Cancer Center in the whole of the institute's east wing, children with cancer from different parts of Mindanao and the country can be assured of quality treatment from caring and nurturing health professionals.

"The initial idea of a cancer center originated from a request of the pediatric oncology team from then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for a facility that can accommodate more kids with cancer because the number of patients being treated for cancer was increasing. On December 8, 2013 Mayor Duterte announced during Survivors’ Day that resources are available for a cancer center. The construction of the facility was started in 2014," Dr. Mae Concepcion J. Dolendo, head of the Children's Cancer Center of the Department of Pediatrics of SPMC in an earlier interview with Sun.Star Davao. Survivors Day is an annual gathering of children with cancer and cancer survivors of SPMC every December 8, Dr. Dolendo’s birthday.

The P113-million building, which was inaugurated in December 2016, features a Day Therapy Unit on the first floor that includes the Chemotherapy Infusion Unit, consultation area, offices, and a conference room for multidisciplinary meetings and teleconferences. Those undergoing diagnosis and treatment are admitted at the second floor, while the third floor of the east wing houses the isolation rooms and a high dependency unit for ill patients.

Ophelyn Ang-Acuña said the high dependency unit is still in its finishing stages and is expected to be completed later this month.

"In the high dependency unit, the patients need close monitoring," said doctor Ilyn Cuevas, 2nd year pediatric resident.

The west wing is the Adult Oncology Center and also houses the radiotherapy center.

In a bid to further enhance its services to the patients seeking treatment, a linear accelerator is being installed along with a bracky therapy machine.

Ang-Acuña said the treatment for the patients goes beyond the technology and methods that is being used by the institute.

The institute has a holistic approach in the treatment of the children. Taking care of the child is a team of medical professionals, social workers, pallative nurses and doctors, health educators, data managers, coordinators, and clinical pharmacists, among others.

With the Kythe Child Life Program, children are also assured that they are able to still enjoy their childhood despite being in a hospital.

"We give them the opportunity to play even if they are in the hospital. We also have activities for them like arts and crafts," said Shiena P. Procullos, Kythe Child Life coordinator.

Also, with the presence of the House of Hope Foundation (HOH), the families of the children with cancer here can also be assured that their financial burdens will be eased. The House of Hope maintains a halfway home for children with cancer who are not from Davao City and also provides funds for the medicines of its patients.

The partnership of HOH with the Dumanlas Elementary, Davao City National High School, and the University of Southeastern Philippines, also assures the children undergoing cancer treatment that they can still continue their studies.

"We want to give the children an opportunity to learn, play, and grow while in the hospital," Cuevas said.