Ensure kids with cancer have access to treatment: Jawaher
sharjah — The Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) has called on the global community to provide access to treatment for children suffering with cancer, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Over 300,000 children develop cancer worldwide each year. Over 80 per cent of them live in developing countries where survival rates can be as low as 20 per cent, compared to 80 per cent in highincome countries.
On the sidelines of the launch of the Access to Essential Medicines for Children with Cancer (Sharjah PORTAGE) Forum, which began on Tuesday, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Founder and Royal Patron of the FoCP, said: “Our duty towards children diagnosed with cancer or those at risk of cancer takes more than one approach. While our humanity prompts us to come together to save the lives of millions of children, we must acknowledge that the loss of children due to inaction or negligence by institutions and individuals who could have saved their lives, is a loss of human capital.
“Children are the real wealth that any nation pins so much hope on for bettering its future. Many children around the world die of cancer due to the inability of their countries to provide them with early detection examinations or prompt treatment.”
Sheikha Jawaher, who is also International Ambassador for the World Cancer Declaration of the Union for International Cancer Control, added: “I would like to tell those who think saving children in the world is an impossible mission, your effort alone might be minimal, but by combining yours with others, there is no such
I would like to tell those who think saving children in the world is an impossible mission, your effort alone might be minimal, but by combining yours with others, there is no such thing as ‘impossible’.” Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi
thing as ‘impossible’. These efforts will have a great impact that one can only see in the eyes of mothers when they see their children recovering, leaving the suffering behind and turning a new page of their lives.”
The two-day Sharjah PORTAGE is seeing the participation of 60 senior officials of international health organisations, medical and health experts and heads of private and public sector entities from around the world.