DMC opens first, biggest children's oncology unit

SOUTHERN Philippines Medical Center (formerly Davao Medical Center) opened Thursday the new Children's Cancer and Blood Diseases unit located inside the hospital compound.

The said oncology unit has a 25-bed capacity and includes an ICU Step Down Unit, Blood Diseases Room, Chemotherapy Room, Teen's Room, Pag-asa Activity Area, Isolation Rooms, Procedures Room and Nurses' Station.

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"This is the biggest and first pediatric oncology unit in a public hospital with a complementary team of trained pediatric oncology nurses, Hematology/Oncology specialists and support staff," pediatric oncologist Dr. Mae Dolendo said in a phone interview.

The team of doctors at the Children's Cancer and Blood Disease Unit include Dolendo for the Pediatric Oncology Section and Dr. Grace Pecson and Dr. Jeannie Ong of the Hematology Section.

Subspecialty referrals are facilitated through the Department of Pediatrics under the leaderships of Dr. Micheal Manalaysay.

Interdepartmental consults are also done with various disciplines in surgery, pathology and diagnostic imaging. The pediatric oncology nurses under Nurse Leader Wella Badilles-Chiu provide care for the children and Child Life/Psychosocial support is provided by Shiena Payno of Kythe Foundation. A web-based childhood cancer registry is maintained by a team of data managers led by Edson Leyer while administrative support is provided by Annie Pasilan.

"The multidisciplinary support for the pediatric oncology unit is possible through the efforts of Davao Children's Cancer Fund, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and World Child Cancer. The realization of the Children's Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit if through the active support of SPMC under the leadership of Dr. Leopoldo Vega," Dolendo said.

The ceremony is among other activities during the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Other events include a photo exhibit at the People's Park for the month of April dubbed "The Faces of Childhood Cancer" and a public forum on April 10 at the NCCC Mall and various Celebrate Life Activities for the children with cancer and their families. These are organized by the Davao Children's Cancer Fund, Kythe, and the Davao Cancer Society. (with PR)