Why emotional care is becoming central to childhood cancer treatment at AKUH
KARACHI: Each year, an estimated 400,000 children and adolescents worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, according to the World Health Organization, with survival rates in low- and middle-income countries remaining far lower than in high-income nations. In Pakistan, where access to specialised paediatric oncology services is uneven, experts warn that medical treatment alone is not enough. Long hospital stays, disrupted schooling, and psychological distress can shape outcomes as much as chemotherapy or surgery. Increasingly, hospitals are being urged to treat not only the disease but the child’s entire world.
It is within this broader healthcare challenge that the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) marked International Childhood Cancer Day 2026 by reframing cancer care as a blend of treatment, education, and emotional recovery. Through its Section of Paediatric Oncology, AKUH hosted its annual Children’s Party, bringing together young patients currently undergoing treatment with survivors and their families. The gathering was designed to celebrate resilience and to reinforce the role of social and emotional wellbeing as an essential part of paediatric cancer care.
International Childhood Cancer Day, observed globally on February 15, aims to raise awareness about childhood cancers and to advocate for equitable access to diagnosis and treatment. The day highlights a stark global divide: while survival rates exceed 80 percent in many developed countries, they can fall below 30 percent in resource-limited settings. Health authorities and advocacy groups use the occasion to stress early detection, family-centred care, and long-term support for survivors, recognising that recovery extends beyond the hospital ward.
At AKUH, this philosophy translated into a space where children could briefly step away from clinical routines and experience normalcy. The venue was transformed into a festive environment filled with games, creative activities, and shared moments between patients, survivors, and families. Hospital officials said the purpose was not entertainment alone, but psychological relief for children who often spend months navigating treatments that isolate them from school and social life.
“Caring for cancer patients means looking beyond treatment alone,” said Dr Farhat Abbas, Chief Executive Officer of the AKU Health System, Pakistan. “It means supporting recovery, wellbeing, and the child’s ability to return to normal life with confidence and continuity.”
He noted that emotional stability and routine play a vital role in how children cope with illness and how families manage prolonged care.
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This approach now extends into structured educational support. Recognising that long treatment periods can interrupt schooling and deepen emotional strain, AKUH recently inaugurated TAALEEM, an in-hospital schooling and tutoring programme developed in collaboration with Umeed Parr and The Dawood Foundation. The initiative enables children receiving cancer treatment to continue formal learning within the hospital, helping them maintain academic progress and daily structure.
TAALEEM also serves a psychological purpose. By keeping children connected to education, clinicians say it preserves identity beyond illness and eases reintegration into regular school life after recovery. Hospital administrators describe the programme as a bridge between healthcare and childhood development, addressing both academic loss and emotional withdrawal that often accompany long-term treatment.
“These events are a vital expression of our emotional support and our commitment to providing holistic care,” said Dr Zehra Fadoo, Chair of the Department of Oncology at AKUH. “We recognise the immense challenges our patients and their families face. Through initiatives like these, we want them to know that we are always here to support them, both medically and in every aspect of their journey towards recovery.”
The International Childhood Cancer Day observance reflects AKUH’s broader strategy in paediatric oncology: treating cancer while restoring routine, dignity, and hope. By combining medical therapy with psychosocial and educational interventions, the hospital aims to improve not only survival rates but the quality of life during and after treatment.
Health experts believe such models could shape the future of paediatric oncology in Pakistan. As childhood cancer increasingly becomes a public health concern, the emphasis is shifting from cure alone to comprehensive care that protects emotional development and long-term wellbeing. In this context, initiatives like AKUH’s represent a growing recognition that for children with cancer, healing must extend beyond medicine.
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