Free leukemia for diagnosis for Bolivian children
The majority of healthcare facilities in Bolivia lack oncohematology services due to high costs and limited resources. The Bolivian Healthy Ministry has conducted a study using death certificates and has found that cancer is the fifth cause of death among children in Bolivia. Currently, different public health centers, health insurance companies, and NGOs carry out isolated efforts to address the problem of pediatric cancer in Bolivia. One of these efforts is currently being conducted by the Association de lucha contra le leukemia Paolo Belli-Bolivia. This association has founded the Cellular Biology Unit at the Mayor de Andres University School of Medicine. Between 1999 and 2004, this unit performed more than 305 free diagnoses of leukemia in children. Since 2005, patients with low incomes have only had to pay 30 Euros for their oncohematologic studies.
Main Objectives of the Project
- To provide free leukemia diagnosis for Bolivian children
- To provide morphological, cytochemistry, and immunophenotipic studies for all pediatric leukemia patients
- To provide molecular biology study as required
Benefits of the Project
- Improve quality of life for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and medular aplasia through precise diagnosis, treatment, and psychological and spiritual support
- Promote educational and development programs for health professionals and the community in order to increase early diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma, and medular aplasia
- Develop research programs of blood diseases
Location
La Paz
Keywords
