Armenia needs children’s oncology center

Few months ago the Healthcare ministry has stated about the intention to establish oncology center for children, however nothing has been done till now, oncologist Grigor Badalyan said, speaking to Tert.am.

According to him, many countries have understood the necessity of centralizing the treatment as far as it is a seldom disease and not all the medical establishments have necessary medical equipment to receive the patients.

“We need the same. It was stated about it, but time is passing and nothing is being done. If such center is not created and we will not have the necessary vaccine, intensive therapy, new devices, the treatment will suffer,” the specialist said, adding that the negative impact is already noticeable.

According to the doctor, 80-85 children develop cancer in Armenia annually. If in the developed countries 80% of children fully overcome the disease, in Armenia only 65% is treated.

“We lack good specialists, necessary devices for good diagnosis. We are dragging behind from year to year as technology is developing very quickly. If in a few years we fail to have the new technology the number of treated children will go down as cancer is very aggressive and we do not have important means for its treatment,” the specialist warned.

As to the treatment abroad, Badalyan said it costs a lot of money. “Children’s oncology is considered one of the most expensive spheres. The adopted approach in world is the following – everything good is for children – new, expensive medicine, new technology,” he said.

The doctor said unhealthy food, bad environment, smoking may cause cancer. As to children, he said the main causes of the disease among children have not been revealed yet. Though he said the reason may be smoking, drinking pregnant women.

The number of children currently undergoing treatment in Armenia is 300-400. They receive no special attitude by the state, the doctor said.