A Cross-Sectional Study of Unlocking Childhood Cancer Services during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pediatric Oncology Tertiary Care Center's Experience from a Developing Country

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has made the provision of cancer care services a challenging task all over the world, even in developed countries. Multiple studies have already reported increased rate of diagnostic delays, interruptions in radiotherapy and chemotherapy administration, and shortage of health care personnel to deliver these services. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of strategies used to deliver uninterrupted childhood cancer services at our center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods This is a cross-sectional study of the children less than 18 years of age admitted at our center between March 2020 and September 2021 to assess the effect of strategies adopted to provide uninterrupted cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic. All the children with cancer who were managed during the study period were included in the study. The children who had treatment interruptions/lost to follow-up prior to onset of COVID-19 were excluded from the study. The primary outcome was to measure the effect of COVID-19 on delivery of cancer care services. The secondary outcome was to assess whether the strategies followed at our center helped to reduce diagnostic delays or loss to follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Out of total 1,490 admissions, 199 children were managed during the study period. Among the 199 children managed, 124 of them were newly diagnosed, 75 had ongoing treatment, 16 children relapsed, 13 children received palliative care, and 6 families were lost to follow-up. Out of 1,471 tests done, only 16 children and 6 caregivers tested COVID-19 positive during routine screening. Thirty-five underwent surgery and 23 received radiotherapy during this period. Among 199 children, 143 (71.8%) received financial support for hospital expenses, 23 (11.5%) received travel support, 20 (10%) were provided free accommodation, and 15 (7.5%) received home delivery of oral chemotherapy and pain medications. A total of $86,989.05 was supported for diagnostic investigations, COVID-19 testing, chemotherapy, and supportive care; $1,144.90 for travel support; and $17,010.94 was waived off by hospital administration to support the poor families. Conclusion The shared care model, support from nongovernmental organizations and hospital administration, and utilization of local resources productively and effectively helped to avoid diagnostic delays and treatment interruptions, and provide uninterrupted pediatric cancer care services at our center.