Prayagraj: Families of children suffering from blood cancer in Prayagraj will no longer need to travel to Delhi or Mumbai for advanced treatment, as Kamla Nehru Hospital has launched a dedicated 12-bed Jawahar Ward for paediatric blood cancer care.Treatment at the ward began under the guidance of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai-based medical oncologist Dr Manas Dubey. Children diagnosed with blood cancer are being treated using advanced targeted therapy, offering more precise and effective care with improved recovery outcomes. Director (administration) of the hospital, Hariom Singh, said a key highlight of the initiative is the financial support extended to patients. Nearly 90% of the treatment expenses for such kids will be borne by the hospital and voluntary organisations. “Our aim is to ensure that no child is deprived of treatment due to financial constraints,” he said. To further support families travelling from distant districts, free accommodation, food, and transport facilities are also arranged. An NGO set up lodging near Allahabad University to assist attendants of paediatric patients during the course of treatment. Hospital officials said medical oncology is a super-specialty branch that treats a wide range of cancers, including solid tumours, lung, breast and brain cancers and haematological malignancies such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. So far, 1,617 cancer cases are registered under this department. The hospital’s OPD handles over 500 patients daily, with children accounting for around 15% to 20% of cases. Doctors emphasise that early detection of blood cancer in children aged 5 to 15 years significantly improves treatment outcomes, as younger patients tend to have stronger recovery potential. To enhance access for rural patients, a dedicated cancer OPD also started at Kamla Nehru Memorial Hospital in the industrial area of Naini. The OPD is operated under the leadership of cancer specialist Dr Shraddha Yadav, with patients referred to the main hospital on Hashimpur Road for detailed investigations.
