Sultan Stambekov, Head of Pediatric Oncology department at National Center of Childhood and Maternity, shared a post on Facebook:
“Hooray! Amazing news! Construction of a boarding house for children with cancer and their parents has begun.
Today is one of those news stories that makes you want to work even harder.
For some, it’s just a new building. For us, it’s a real step forward in the fight for the lives of children.
The boarding house is a hotel near the hospital where children can live with their parents between chemotherapy sessions.
It may seem like a small thing. But in reality, it’s a huge change.
Many of our patients come from the most remote corners of Kyrgyzstan. Some travel over a thousand kilometers. After each course of treatment, they are forced to return home and then travel back again.
Now thousands of kilometers of the difficult road will be a thing of the past.
This means:
- Less financial expenses for families;
- Fewer exhausting trips;
- Fewer infections that children get from traveling or at home;
- Fewer complications, fewer antibiotics, fewer hospitalizations;
- And most importantly – more chances to continue treatment on time, which means more lives saved. How many deaths and unnecessary expenses we can avoid.
How did this idea come about?
Last winter, I made an appointment with our First Lady – Aigul Zhaparova. I came to her with three projects that, in my opinion, are capable of changing the pediatric oncology of Kyrgyzstan.
She listened very attentively to each of them, gave specific advice, and helped determine the next course of action.
To be honest, I rarely write about her. I know she doesn’t like unnecessary publicity. But there are moments when silence is simply impossible.
Today I can say openly: all three projects we discussed at that time are being implemented. And each of them will allow us to treat our children better and more effectively.
Over the years of work, I have had the opportunity to communicate with many First Ladies. Around the world, they are traditionally the guardians of pediatric oncology.
And I sincerely believe that Aigul Zhabarova is doing a lot for our children. This includes both the laboratory and the entry into platforms, but I will report on them as they are implemented. Most of this work remains outside the cameras and news feeds.
Before this project, I approached many well-known and very wealthy businessmen. Almost all of them asked the same question: ‘What is the return on investment?’
Unfortunately, no one took on the challenge.
And then there were months of painstaking work: coordination, discussions, ministries, projects, plans, documents…
And today I can say the most awaited words: Construction has begun.
This is not just a boarding school. This is a place where parents will be able to be with their children on the hardest days of their lives. This is a place that will give hundreds of families hope, peace of mind, and confidence that they will not be left alone with their misfortune.
Sometimes great victories begin not with loud statements, but with one meeting, one idea, and people who are ready to support a truly important cause.
Today is exactly such a day. And I am happy to be a witness to it.”
Other articles featuring Sultan Stambekov on OncoDaily.