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Addressing the critical gap: conscious sedation for pediatric oncology patients in LMICs

Syed Ibrahim Bukhari1, Gashaw Arega2, Sadaf Altaf1

  • 1Department of Oncology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Discover Oncology
|September 8, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Conscious sedation (CS) is vital for pediatric cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) but is underutilized. Improving access to CS can prevent treatment delays and improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Pediatric cancer diagnosis is disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • LMICs face significant challenges in delivering quality cancer care, especially for procedures requiring patient immobility or causing pain.
  • Conscious sedation (CS) is underutilized in LMICs, leading to treatment delays and negative health consequences for children.

Discussion:

  • The underutilization of CS in LMICs hinders effective pediatric cancer treatment.
  • Lack of trained personnel, resources, and policy support contributes to the limited use of CS.
  • Addressing these barriers is crucial for improving the quality of care and patient outcomes.

Key Insights:

  • Conscious sedation is essential for managing pain and ensuring stillness during pediatric cancer procedures.
  • Underutilization of CS in LMICs is a significant barrier to equitable cancer care.
  • Targeted interventions are needed to increase CS availability and application.

Outlook:

  • Advocacy for dedicated CS teams is necessary.
  • Investment in specialized training programs for healthcare providers is critical.
  • Policy development and support are essential to integrate CS into routine pediatric cancer care in LMICs.

Keywords:
Conscious SedationLMICsNeed of TrainingTreatment Delays

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