Pediatric Oncology

Site Overview
Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute was founded in 1972, and represents the successful collaboration of state and national government with non-governmental organizations. Managed jointly by the state of Gujarat and the Gujarat Cancer Society, GCRI is also a Regional Cancer Center under the National Cancer Control Program. GCRI sees over 20,000 new patients a year, and heir pediatric ward, which was founded in 1992, has seen a constant increase of patients over the last decade and now averages about 650 annually.

Project Overview
The MOU between Jiv Daya Foundation and GCRI was signed in December 2009. The support provides for the salaries of a data manager, an infection control nurse, a social worker, and a second data manager cum social worker responsible for tracking patient follow up and assisting in harnessing financial aid resources. These staff have increased the capacity of GCRI to provide optimal care to its lower-income patients. Examples of this include financial counseling and psychosocial support for families on the part of the social worker, data tracking to reduce abandonment rates, and enforcement of good hygiene to reduce infection rates.