Medical treatment for children suffering from cancer will be expanded by opening satellite centers in towns such as Taunggyi, Nay Pyi Taw, Pathein, Hpa-an and Sittway, said child cancer specialist Dr Tint Myo Hnin from  Yangon Children’s Hospital. 

“In Myanmar we have only two places for child cancer. It is not enough at all for our country with a child population of over 12 million under 14. So we will build more satellite centers (where remote treatment is available. We have 13 satellite centers. But special treatment is not available there. But blood tests, medication and injections are available. This ensures that the patients have a series of continued treatment. These are our aims,” she said. 

She remarked that just changing lifestyle could not reduce cancer outbreak and it is also necessary to cure. 

Myanmar still sees very low treatment and recovery rates when compared with developed countries. 

Across the country, there have been about 2,000 new child cancer cases among children under 14. But, only one third are coming to respective health departments for their treatment. 

In developed and high-income countries, child cancer could be diagnosed in the earlier stage and 80 percent could be cured. Only 20 percent could be cured in developing countries.