The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine believes that the Ukrainian Authorities should focus on the Problems of Children with Oncological Diseases
15 February 2011, 17:24
On February 15, on the International
Day of Protection of the Children with Oncological Diseases, Volodymyr Lytvyn,
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met the leaders of the Fund on Assistance
to the Children with Oncological Diseases, children under treatment, their
parents, and students-volunteers who take care after these children.
President of the Fund Valentyna Markevych stated that assistance and initiatives of V. Lytvyn helped to reach a great success in the organizational and financial support of children treatment abroad. "We have managed to save lives of more than 50 children and adults who have received highly qualified medical treatment in different corners of the world", V. Markevych announced.
However, numerous problems are connected with the diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation of children with oncological diseases in Ukraine. Most of them need solving. A lot of children with oncohematological diseases require treatment abroad, while the State Budget envisages UAH 14 million for these purposes under the program "Medical Treatment Abroad." "The sum is obviously insufficient", V. Markevych admitted. The State Budget does not allocate any funds for the medical treatment of children with oncological diseases, as the state program "Children Oncology" for the years 2006-2011 is completed, whereas a new program has not been launched yet.
"This problem is pressing. The death rate shall become a consolidating
factor. We should find responsible approaches to solve this problem, although their
effectiveness depends on environmental protection, air purity, quality of water
and food", V. Lytvyn admitted.
The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament promised to charge the subject committees with drafting of the bill to increase the expenses for the treatment of children with oncological diseases abroad, and appeal to the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Ministry of Public Health of Ukraine with a request to draft and adopt the program "Children Oncology" for the years 2011-2016.