Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) remains the largest hospital in Ethiopia, serving many pediatric cancer patients. During our clinical rotation, we noticed a significant gap in both the emotional well-being of children undergoing cancer treatment and the support systems available for their parents. This observation led to the launch of the Social Duty Program for Pediatric Cancer Patients, aimed at improving the hospital experience for these children while alleviating some of the financial and psychological burdens on their families.
This project, conducted under the Millennium Fellowship, aligns with the United Nations’ SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), focusing on promoting the mental and physical health of children and supporting their parents through education and emotional care.
The primary goals of the project were:
• To provide educational and recreational activities to help pediatric cancer patients cope with their diagnosis and treatment.
• To offer emotional and financial support to parents, helping them manage the psychological and economic stress they face.
• To foster a supportive community environment within the hospital through regular parent engagement and professional mental health support.
Project Activities
1. Weekly Sessions for Children
We successfully conducted weekly sessions every Friday for three months, from September 11 to December 11. These sessions included a combination of educational lessons, playtime, and interactive activities like storytelling, arts and crafts, and music therapy. The children responded positively, with many eagerly looking forward to the sessions each week. They particularly enjoyed creative activities like drawing and crafting, which allowed them to express their feelings and escape the pressures of their medical treatments.
2. Bi-Monthly Parent Coffee Sessions
Our bi-monthly coffee sessions with parents provided a much-needed platform for them to receive emotional support and education. We collaborated with hospital psychiatrists and child psychologists to give parents professional advice on child care, stress management, and complication prevention. The coffee sessions also fostered a strong sense of community among parents, as they shared their experiences and provided each other with emotional support.
In addition, we were able to offer private consultations with mental health professionals to a number of parents who were particularly overwhelmed by the challenges of caring for a child with cancer. These consultations, combined with our educational sessions, helped reduce feelings of helplessness and stress among parents.