On 17 October, the symposium took place. Global Paediatric Oncology place, prior to Larissa Klootwijk's public defence. During the symposium, three speakers shared their insights on the care of children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries.
The first speaker, Dr Njuguna, a paediatric oncologist from Kenya, emphasised the importance of timely access to care and accurate patient data registration. Thanks to international collaborations, the survival rates for some tumours, such as Wilms' tumour, have now risen to approximately 60% in Kenya.
Laura van Tinteren, programme coordinator at Máxima International, spoke about the importance of sustainable and equal international cooperation. According to her, long-term partnerships can contribute to structural improvements in paediatric oncology care worldwide.
The third speaker, Dr. Mei Neni from Indonesia, presented recent data on treatment outcomes in Indonesia. She emphasised the need for stronger infrastructure, training of healthcare professionals and international cooperation to further improve the quality of care.
Subsequently defended Larissa Klootwijk her thesis on the Childhood Cancer Awareness Programme in Kenya. This programme focuses on improving early detection of childhood cancer through training for community members and healthcare providers, including an innovative SMS-based learning platform for primary care providers.
The symposium attracted a diverse international audience, including partners of the Princess Máxima Centre from Kenya, Indonesia and the United States, students from Utrecht University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, doctors specialising in international healthcare, and researchers in global health and (paediatric) oncology.
The day provided a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange and mutual cooperation, with a shared ambition: to improve global care for children with cancer.
Dutch
English