- Leukemia and lymphoma top the list of the most common childhood cancers.
- According to the WHO, 300,000 new cases of tumors in minors are detected each year.
- The construction of the 35 ONCOCREAN has been essential to increase the survival of children with cancer.
One of the priorities of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) is care for children with cancer. In fact, in recent years various strategies have been implemented to expedite the service to this sector of the population. Some of the measures have been precision medicine, the analysis of pediatric and adult cases, as well as continuous training in the Early Warning Assessment Scale (EVAT) and the Golden Hour.
During her visit to the National Coordination of Oncology, the Director of Medical Benefits, Célida Duque Molina, explained that it is from this place where strategies, programs, goals and objectives are developed for the care of people with an oncological condition. She added that one of the greatest achievements has been the increase in patient survival.
Actions in favor of children with cancer
He highlighted that derived from the joint work with this office, the IMSS has 35 State Reference Centers for the Care of Boys and Girls with Cancer (ONCOCREAN) at the national level and at the same time, services to attend to childhood cancer were strengthened with a registry of pediatric oncology patients through a digital platform, where timely and effective follow-up of treatments is provided.
Dr. Célida Duque explained that work is ongoing to improve care and diagnosis times. For this, the Family Medicine Units (UMF) in the event of a suspicion of cancer in a minor. They refer her immediately to her nearest State Reference Center for the Care of Boys and Girls with Cancer, where she will receive a diagnosis in a maximum of seven days, and treatment in the following three days.
Use of technology in healthcare
For his part, the national coordinator of Oncology, Dr. Enrique López Aguilar, commented that the specialists that are part of the ONCOCREAN are constantly trained in the management of vascular accesses, in order to avoid infections that a minor in a vulnerable situation may have. fatal consequences.
He stressed that at this headquarters there are 112 Telemedicine sessions that are carried out in conjunction with personnel from the 35 ONCOCREAN to analyze the most complex cases of transplants, EVAT and Golden Hour improvement plans, in the same way courses have been given to distance on precision medicine and other educational strategies.
During this visit to the Coordination of Oncology Care, the Director of Medical Benefits, Célida Duque Molina, verified the progress that is being made in this area to standardize treatments and accurately analyze the death of some patients and address the causes.
In addition, he toured the Cueva del Tesoro, a place where Emotional support for children with cancer. They are encouraged to get ahead, they are given a gift as a sign of their integrity and perseverance to continue with their treatment, which is reflected in the necklace of strength and without forgetting the accompaniment of the magician or the fairy that has become an emblem. from the program You Are Magic.
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