The National Bank of Malawi donated a chemistry analyzer to QECH, reducing cancer diagnosis time for children from days to under two hours, significantly improving patient care and treatment outcomes for childhood cancers. The device enhances accuracy and efficiency in testing, greatly facilitating early detection.
The prospect of having a child diagnosed with cancer at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) is understandably daunting for many parents. Typically, the diagnosis process can take a day or two, as the hospital operates with only one machine for this crucial task. Parents often face the distressing possibility of needing to repeat procedures, deepening their anxiety while their child’s health declines during the waiting period.
In 2023, a significant change occurred when the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc donated a chemistry analyzer to the Child Cancer Ward at QECH. This new machine has improved the accuracy and rapidity of cancer diagnoses, facilitating earlier detection of malignancies in children. Common cancers affecting Malawian children include Leukemia, Burkitt Lymphoma, Wilms tumor, Retinoblastoma, and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Annually, approximately 500 children in Malawi are diagnosed with cancer, with QECH seeing 20 to 30 new cases each month. For the month of February, coinciding with World Cancer Day’s theme, ‘United by Unique,’ the Children’s Cancer Ward has dramatically benefitted from the chemistry analyzer, reducing the diagnosis time from days to as little as one hour.
Dr. Beatrice Chikaphonya Phiri, a Pediatric Oncologist, expressed her gratitude for the donation, stating that it has significantly enhanced their diagnostic capabilities. “Usually, we would send the samples to the main lab, and sometimes the lab did not have reagents to do kidney or liver function tests,” she explained. The new machine allows rapid turnaround times for test results, aiding in better patient management.
Dr. Nthambose Simango, a Pediatrics Department Registrar, echoed the sentiments of Dr. Phiri. She described previous challenges with the main lab running out of supplies or becoming overloaded, which delayed treatments. “Having this machine in the department has enabled us to have consistent availability of those tests,” Dr. Simango noted.
Despite these advancements, Dr. Simango highlighted the need for a constant supply of reagents as well as a mobile X-ray machine to attend to critically ill children unable to be transported to the X-ray department. George Jobe, Executive Director of the Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), acknowledged the improvements in care with the introduction of new equipment.
Akossa Hiwa, NBM plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, emphasized the Bank’s commitment to social impact and sustainability. “It is fulfilling to note that the chemistry analyzer we gifted the Child Cancer Ward continues to make a difference in the lives of Malawian children,” she stated. This year’s theme serves as a reminder of the importance of collective action in the fight against cancer.
The donation of the chemistry analyzer by the National Bank of Malawi has transformed the diagnostic process for childhood cancer at QECH, dramatically reducing wait times and improving accuracy. Medical professionals express their gratitude for the substantial enhancements to patient care, which allow for timely and effective treatments. Addressing the need for consistent reagent supplies and mobile care solutions remains critical for the ongoing improvement of pediatric cancer care in Malawi.
Original Source: www.nyasatimes.com
