Report on the Historic Launch of the Nepal Childhood Cancer Alliance (NCCA)

26 Mar Report on the Historic Launch of the Nepal Childhood Cancer Alliance (NCCA)

Posted at 08:21h in Events by

Event Date: February 16, 2025

Location: Hotel Aloft, Kathmandu, Nepal

On February 16, 2025, the Nepal Childhood Cancer Alliance (NCCA) was officially launched in a historic event at Hotel Aloft in Kathmandu, marking a significant milestone in Nepal’s fight against childhood cancer. The event brought together an impressive coalition of local and international organizations, dedicated to ensuring that no child in Nepal faces cancer alone. The NCCA aims to provide comprehensive care for children diagnosed with cancer, including early detection, treatment, financial assistance, and emotional support for families, as well as long-term care for survivors.

Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts

The launch of the NCCA was organized in collaboration with various influential organizations dedicated to childhood cancer care and advocacy. The Ramesh Gupta Memorial Trust (RGMT) took a leading role in supporting the initiative, alongside important partnerships with Leonardo Edward Shrestha Foundation (LESF), World Child Cancer (WCC) UK, and Together Against Childhood Cancer (TACC). These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to improving the lives of children battling cancer in Nepal, addressing barriers to healthcare access, and ensuring sustainable solutions.

The collaboration seeks to provide a holistic approach to pediatric cancer care, focusing on improving survival rates, reducing the financial burden on families, and ensuring comprehensive support for the entire journey of a child’s cancer treatment.

Key Attendees and Speakers

The NCCA launch event was graced by several esteemed guests and dignitaries, including:

  • Hari Pd. Mainali, Secretary of the Ministry of Health & Population, Nepal, who offered strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of improving childhood cancer care nationwide.
  • Rohit Gupta, Chairman of the Ramesh Gupta Memorial Trust (RGMT), delivered an insightful welcome address, highlighting the challenges faced by children with cancer in Nepal and the need for united action.
  • Representatives from founding organizations, including World Child Cancer (WCC), Leonardo EdwardShrestha Foundation (LESF), and Together Against Childhood Cancer (TACC), played a key role in outlining the mission and vision of the NCCA.
  • Pediatricdoctors from Kanti Children’s Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Military Hospital, Kathmandu Institute of Child Health and Nepal Cancer Hospital & Research Hospital participated, emphasizing the need for better resources and specialized training for healthcare providers in Nepal.

Additionally, international organizations such as WHO and UNICEF contributed to the event, reinforcing the global significance of improving childhood cancer care and recognizing the importance of local and international collaborations in addressing disparities in healthcare access for children.

NCCA’s Mission and Vision

The NCCA’s mission is clear: to ensure that every child in Nepal diagnosed with cancer has access to the treatment, care, and support they need to survive and thrive. The alliance’s vision is to create a future where no child faces cancer without comprehensive care and support, from diagnosis to long-term survivorship.

Key focus areas for NCCA include:

  • Early detection: Raising awareness and provide training to Health care officers & doctors about childhood cancer symptoms to enable timely diagnoses.
  • Improvedtreatment: Expanding treatment options and access to specialized care for 
    • Financialsupport: Providing assistance to families facing financial hardship due to the high costs of cancer treatment.
    • Emotional support: Ensuring that families and children receive the emotional and psychological support they need throughout the treatment process.
    • Long-term care: Supporting childhood cancer survivors with the care and services they require post-treatment.

Event Highlights

The event was structured to highlight various aspects of the childhood cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and long-term care. Key moments included:

  1. Welcome Address by  Rohit Gupta: Mr. Gupta shared the challenges faced by families affected by childhood cancer, stressing the importance of collaboration in overcoming these barriers.
  2. Survivor Video and Recognition: A moving video featured Samarpan Mishra, a childhood cancer survivor, highlighting the emotional toll and resilience involved in cancer treatment. Survivors were also honored for their courage and strength.
  3. Panel Discussion on Childhood Cancer: A panel discussion, facilitated by Sanjay Agrawal, Directorof Ramesh Gupta Mmeorial Trust, brought together pediatric oncologists from prominent hospitals. They discussed the current state of childhood cancer treatment, including barriers to access and the importance of early detection, specialized training for medical professionals, and financial aid for families.
  4. Special Remarks by  Arun Neupane: Dr. Neupane, President of NePas (Nepal Pediatric Society), emphasized the Pediatric Society’s ongoing advocacy for improved childhood cancer care and better policies for cancer treatment in Nepal.
  5. Closing Remarks by Mr. Bishop Joshi: Mr. Joshi, President of TACC, summarized the event’s key outcomes and reinforced the importance of the NCCA’s  He acknowledged the collective commitment to ensuring that no child with cancer is left behind.

Key Takeaways

The NCCA launch has set the foundation for transformative change in childhood cancer care in Nepal. The collective efforts of local and international organizations will ensure that:

  • Improved treatment options and better infrastructure for childhood cancer care will be
  • Financial assistance and emotional support for families will be made more accessible, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent children from receiving life-saving treatment.
  • Long-term care for childhood cancer survivors will be prioritized, addressing the challenges they face post-treatment.
  • Greater awareness of childhood cancer will be raised, ensuring that the public and healthcare providers can identify symptoms early, facilitating timely diagnosis and treatment.

Acknowledgments

The success of the NCCA launch would not have been possible without the support of numerous individuals and organizations. The Ramesh Gupta Memorial Trust (RGMT) extends its heartfelt thanks to all the partners, stakeholders, and attendees who contributed to this historic event.

Special thanks go to the Ministry of Health & Population, WHO, UNICEF, Leonardo Edward Shrestha Foundation, World Child Cancer, and Together Against Childhood Cancer, whose continued support and commitment to improving the lives of children battling cancer in Nepal will make a lasting difference.

Conclusion

The official launch of NCCA represents a new era in childhood cancer care in Nepal, with an unwavering commitment to providing better treatment, support, and hope for children battling this devastating disease. With a solid foundation of partnerships and a shared vision for the future, NCCA is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of countless children and their families.

As NCCA moves forward, it remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that no child fights cancer alone and that every child in Nepal receives the care and support they need to thrive.

Key Highlights: