Children`s healthcare facility reconstructed

December 7, 2011

A newly built child cancer care section at the National Cancer Research Center, an effort funded by Mehr Nuri Foundation, “In the Name of Life” National Breast Cancer Association and the Women`s Council, was inaugurated on December 7 in Tashkent. The brand new facility, which has been fitted with up-to-date equipment, is able to take in twice as many children as before, for therapies and surgeries.

The inauguration was attended by members of the NCRC, representatives of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, doctors and journalists. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the main entrance to the new brick building, which took roughly half a year to complete, those gathered were invited to view the light and roomy wards in the facility.

Sarimbek Navruzov, Director of the National Cancer Research Center:

“The plans to build a brand new children`s section were conceived a long time ago. Last year the Foundation offered its help, which made us very happy. The new building was constructed very quickly. It now has all the necessary facilities: new equipment and inventory designed for diagnosing and treating children as well as roomy and comfortable wards. Thanks to Mehr nuri Foundation, our physicians now have more opportunities for a more effective treatment of patients. For a third year running, we collaborate closely and effectively with “In the Name of Life” National Association and the Women`s Council in addressing cancers affecting the female reproductive system. Thanks to this collaboration we have been able to increase the number of women covered by diagnostics campaigns in regions and detect mid-stage cancer, which boosts chances of curing it and saving more lives. More women have started taking better care of their health. And this is very important!”

From June through December 2011 Mehr nuri Foundation and the Women`s Council, with assistance from sponsors, have overseen the following activities:

• construction of a new two-storied child health care section able to house 50 patients and meeting modern sanitation and hygiene standards;
• creation of conditions for highly qualified treatment of children in psychologically comfortable environments (play rooms, training rooms, etc.);
• provision of modern equipment for a surgery section and intensive care ward;
• purchase of furniture, equipment and inventory for the section.

The child cancer care section of the National Cancer Research Center was launched in February 2001. Staffed by 29 people, among them 6 doctors, 12 nurses and 9 assistants, it is one of Central Asia`s leading child cancer care facilities. In Uzbekistan it is the only facility that diagnoses and treats malignant tumors in children. In addition, the section has set up permanent ties with Russia`s Blokhin Cancer Research Center.

Tojiddin Mustafoyev, head of the child care section at the National Cancer Research Center:

- I`m at a loss for words to thank Mehr nuri Foundation on my own behalf and on behalf of cancer care specialists for this huge present for us, our little patients and their families. The new equipment and the new facilities will now enable us to provide better care for those suffering from cancers. Mehr Nuri Foundation`s activities are worthy of utmost praise and sincere gratitude.”

Before the reconstruction the section was designed to house 25 patients at a time and was located in a building of old-fashioned design, and did not meet sanitary and hygiene norms. The number of children in need of specialist treatment increases every year: from 663 patients in 2009 to 760 in 2010. The lack of beds at the section resulted in long waiting lists which led to temporary hospitalization at other sections at the NCRC. Also, the section did not have a surgery department and intensive care wards.