SAMARKAND, October 22. /Dunyo IA/.   Over the next five years, Uzbekistan could achieve a significant improvement in survival rates for children with cancer by expanding access to medicines, enhancing diagnostics, and improving the quality of treatment, Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, stated in an interview with Dunyo IA.

According to her, prioritizing discussions on children's health, particularly oncological diseases, is of great importance not only for Uzbekistan but for the entire Central Asian region.

WHO representative noted the efforts of countries to expand access to essential medicines, develop specialized medical care and share best practices. Such initiatives help strengthen international cooperation and identify collaborative solutions to enhance the accessibility of quality healthcare services for children.

WHO, in collaboration with Uzbekistan, is working on implementing appropriate medical care protocols and increasing the efficiency of allocated resources. The primary objective is to ensure that every child has access to quality treatment.

To improve survival rates, it is essential to combine efforts in ensuring the availability of medicines, developing diagnostic capabilities, training qualified medical personnel and refining the treatment system, Dr. Azzopardi-Muscat emphasized.

At the same time, assistance to children with oncological diseases should not be limited solely to saving their lives. It is equally important to ensure that, upon completing their treatment, patients are able to lead full lives, receive an education and actively participate in society.

According to the WHO representative, a comprehensive approach to pediatric oncology, the expansion of international cooperation and the capacity building of healthcare systems remain essential conditions for the further development of this field in Uzbekistan and the region.