Cyprus is ready to accept children with cancer from Ukraine if they are sent to it, Dr. Loizos Loizou, President of the Elpida Foundation and Cyprus' National Representative for Paediatric Oncology to the European Society of Paediatric Oncology, told CNA.
He noted that Cyprus has stated that it can accept and treat three children with cancer without excluding the possibility of accepting more if there is a need.
Dr. Loizou said the problem is very big and children with various diseases and cancer are fleeing the war-torn country.
He said that because of the war most children with cancer remain without treatment. "As a result, their lives are endangered by the rapid progression of the cancer they are suffering from. Childhood and teenage cancers, such as acute leukaemia, lymphomas and other malignant tumours, progress rapidly. They can only be beaten with urgent treatment. Lack of treatment, as well as discontinuation of treatments already started, creates resistant and rapidly worsening relapses that lead these children to rapid death," he noted.
He said that the European Society of Paediatric Oncology together with the St Judes Research Hospital of America have a team of scientists at the Polish border, which is a reception centre for these children, they are directed there, a selection is made and they are sent as needed to different countries.
"They also contacted me. Cyprus immediately without delay gave approval for initially three children which is about 22% of Cyprus' strength, given that we have 14 beds. At the moment there is a choice, which children go where."
The Elpida Foundation has borne all costs related to the travel and transportation of the children and their parents. It will provide accommodation in the Elpida Guesthouse located next to the Pediatric Oncology Clinic, food and financial assistance required for the living of the children and their parents during their treatments in Cyprus.
"At this stage we are more actively involved, we will have a European meeting tomorrow in a teleconference, all the stakeholders to see how we can help in other ways because there are huge shortages in Ukraine of oxygen, medicines, chemotherapies, blood derivatives. We are in a waiting game, in a way," he said."
Dr. Loizu said that so far a total of about 70 children with cancer have been sent to Germany, Italy, Austria, with the preference at the moment being as the children are sent to neighboring countries so they can get the appropriate care.
Asked what is the extent of the problem for children with cancer in Ukraine, he noted that they have 1,000 cases per year and every year there are 7,000 children who need treatment.
"I also spoke with our embassies in Berlin and Warsaw and they are ready to help us with the transfer of children. Cyprus is one of the first countries to respond positively and has been congratulated internationally for its stance," he added.
Source: CNA
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