Mexico
Where We Work Worldwide
Mexico
World Child Cancer USA is supporting three hospitals in Mexico following an initial needs assessment visit in 2015. Around 800 childhood cancer cases are expected in the southeast region of Mexico. Many of these children do not have access to diagnosis or treatment due to distance to hospital and lack of awareness of the symptoms and curability of childhood cancer.
51% of children
in Mexico diagnosed with cancer received no medical care prior to 2005
170 children
with cancer are diagnosed at the Oaxaca and Pachuca sites each year
40%
Of patients are indigenous and do not speak Spanish
Programme Information
Programme
Centre
- Hospital del Niño DIF, Pachuca, Hidalgo
- Hospital de la Niñez Oaxaquena, Oaxaca
- Hospital Regional Rio Blanco, Veracruz
Twinning
Centre
Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas City, USA
Programme
Leads
Dr Yannis Cortes
Dr Nalyn Lizeth Rodriguez Brindis
Regional Director: Dr Arturo Moreno Ramirez
Programme
Mentors
Dr Tristan Flatt
Contact
Dr Lilia Garcia, Programme Coordinator
Start Date
November 2015
Key Activities
- Training and mentoring of local healthcare professionals
- A container of essential medical equipment provided to Hospital Regional Rio Blanco in Veracruz
- Awareness-raising videos produced in indigenous languages to reach families in marginalised communities
- Supporting families with the cost of essential medicines
- Providing parents and caregivers with craft materials for income-generating activities.
Problems
- Low literacy rates within indigenous communities which results in difficulties in advancing knowledge of cancer
- Poor data collection facilities and difficulties in tracking patients
- Little training available for healthcare professionals in diagnosing and treating childhood cancer
- Cost of treatment is only partially funded and result in a huge financial burden on families