This International Childhood Cancer Day, we pay tribute to Dr Nayha Gautam’s quest to improve childhood cancer care in the Eastern Cape
In the realm of childhood cancers, Wilms tumour, or Nephroblastoma’s, the global resolution rate is approximately 90%. However, a concerning disparity persists in the Eastern Cape, propelling Dr Nayha Gautam on a mission to uncover the reasons behind lower success rates and catalyse positive change.
Dr Gautam’s medical journey began with a passion for paediatric surgery, honed during rotations at Red Cross Hospital in Cape Town. Choosing a simpler life, she returned to her roots in the Eastern Cape, where she joined the paediatric surgery department in East London. Despite the challenges of balancing motherhood and a demanding medical career, her unwavering commitment to making a difference in children’s lives, shines through.
The Eastern Cape’s unique challenges:
At the core of Dr Gautam’s focus is childhood cancer, especially Wilms tumour. Despite its prevalence among children aged one to three, research on cases in the Eastern Cape is notably scarce. This is alarming, given the substantial population of young children under 15 in the province. Dr Gautam emphasises, “Kids travel 200 kilometres, 300 kilometres, or more just to access specialised services.”
Only two facilities offer oncology services for paediatric surgeons. Dr Gautam’s research delves into the experiences of children with Wilms tumour. The Discovery Foundation grant will support her research and establish a comprehensive cancer registry. Dr Gautam hopes the registry data will enhance outcomes for children with tumours and inform crucial policy decisions.
#DiscoveryFoundation #PaediatricSurgery #InternationalCancerDay
This is the kind of news that warms our hearts. We’re proud to partner with you CareOregon and excited to welcome Kenny and Malik to the NMF family as they carry on Dr. Johnson’s legacy! ✨