The National Cancer Coalition donated large quantities of cancer pharmaceuticals to the patients of Hospital del Nino in Panama City, Panama, thus providing treatment for many of the country’s pediatric cancer patients.

The Need

In Panama there is a great need for assistance of medical pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment. The government, through its Ministry of Health, is the leading provider of health services to the people. However, since over 40% of Panama’s population live in poverty, there still remains a significant necessity for medical assistance via humanitarian organizations.

Hospital

Hospital del Nino is Panama’s primary pediatric hospital and it treats the majority of its country's young cancer patients. The hospital has 19 beds in its Oncology / Hematology Division and treats approximately 300 cancer patients per year. Patients range from newly born to 15 years old.

Distribution

The National Cancer Coalition officially handed-over the donated pharmaceuticals to the Ministry of Health of Panama for patients of Hospital del Ninos. NCC was honored to have the participation of Panama’s Vice-Minister of Health Dr. Alexis Pinzon and U.S. Ambassador Linda Watt at the official hand-over ceremony.

Result
The National Cancer Coalition has an ongoing relationship with the oncology hospitals of the Ministry of Health in Panama. NCC aims to fulfill specific chemotherapy needs at the Hospital del Ninos and other oncology hospitals and clinics in Panama. Because of the efforts of NCC, hundreds of needy cancer patients in Panama now have access to cancer pharmaceuticals that are crucial in their treatment of cancer.