Blessing Nduku
In a significant boost to the fight against childhood cancer healthcare workers in Gweru recently underwent a comprehensive training program conducted by KidzCan Zimbabwe Children’s Cancer Relief aiming to enhance skills in early detection, treatment and management of the disease.
The training program was attended by fifty Healthcare professionals and covered critical topics such as childhood cancer diagnosis and staging as well as types of childhood cancer in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at this gathering Sister Charity Kuwaza explained the types of cancer that are affecting children and how one can easily identify them.
“I just want to thank everyone who took their time to be present here, unfortunately when I was doing my nursing program I was never taught about cancer, it is not there in the syllabus but in the real world cancer is there.”
“Here in Zimbabwe we have three common cancers in children these includes leukemia which is blood cancer, renal tumor which is kidney cancer, retinoblastoma eye cancer.”
Kuwaza went on to express the problems we are facing as a country on childhood cancer.
“As a country, we are facing challenges, especially on childhood cancer these include late presentation, lack of knowledge people out there who do not know about cancer’s signs and symptoms, lack of medication there are no medications at all medication is very expensive.”
“Cost of services be it chemotherapy or needed scans, fear as well as misconceptions of cancer and at first people are seeking alternative medications before coming to the hospital though in most cases it will be late to seek medical help.”
Doctor Larry Nyoni explained how one can identify Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in children especially from zero to fourteen years though it is not easy to identify.
“Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow and is characterized by an overproduction of immature white blood cells. Common symptoms can include anemia due to lack of red cells which may cause persistent tiredness, and shortness of breath when physically active.”
“Frequent infections and slow heading which is due to lack of normal white cells this is when you will see your child getting sick time and again without healing. Increased or unexplained bleeding or bruising due to a very low platelet count as well as bone or joint pain as a result of the marrow being overcrowded with leukemic cells.”
Another healthcare worker who participated in this program shared her experience and acknowledged Kidzcan as a great and fruitful training workshop.
“I truly appreciate KidzCan Zimbabwe for coming to Gweru and training us on cancer, for me, the training has given me confidence in identifying potential cases and providing compassionate care to our young patients. I can confidently say I am now better equipped to make a difference in my community and country as a whole.”
KidzCan is the only organization in Zimbabwe dedicated to increasing the survival rate of children with cancer.
KidzCan was founded by Andrea Whatman a survivor of childhood cancer herself.
It is aimed at providing hope, comfort and consolation to the families and children suffering from cancer through a simple volunteer program. very quickly came to realize the overwhelming need to support diagnosis and treatment.
With chemotherapy drugs unavailable and tests for diagnosis beyond the financial reach of most families in Zimbabwe, something needed to be done.
Thus when Kidzcan, Children’s Cancer Relief, a Zimbabwean Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) was established.
The training program conducted by KidzCan Zimbabwe has empowered Gweru Healthcare workers to tackle childhood cancer with confidence as the organization continues its mission which is to improve childhood cancer outcomes in Zimbabwe.
