Annually, around 600 new cases of malignant tumors in children are detected in Kazakhstan. About 40% of these are leukemias and 60% are solid tumors.
Diagnosis and treatment of children with cancer are carried out within the guaranteed amount of free medical care.
On average, the state allocates about 10-12 million tenge per therapy course for one patient.
Two national centers operate in Kazakhstan to provide medical care to children with oncological diseases - the Scientific Center for Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery in Almaty and the National Scientific Center for Motherhood and Childhood in Astana, where about 5,000 children with malignant tumors receive treatment each year. Initial diagnosis is conducted in the regions, while intensive chemotherapy courses are held in the national centers.
Riza Boranbayeva, Director of the Scientific Center for Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
"In 2017, 610 cases of oncological diseases in children were detected compared to 2016, when 558 new cases were recorded. There is an increase in the number of sick children by 9.3%. We believe the increase in the number of sick children is linked to improved diagnostic quality in the regions.
In the structure of malignant tumors in children, 38.7% are leukemia (236 children) and 61.3% (374 children) are solid tumors.
According to the NCPCH data of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the incidence of malignant tumors in 2017 was 12.5 per 100 thousand of the child population, whereas in 2016 this indicator was 11.5.
The majority of children with cancer come from the southern regions.
High morbidity in the Aktobe, Mangistau, West Kazakhstan, North Kazakhstan regions, and the cities of Astana and Almaty.
In 2017, 97 children from the South Kazakhstan region, 62 children from the Almaty region, and 57 and 46 patients from Almaty and Astana, respectively, received treatment.
In the age structure of patients with tumors, 36% are young children from 0 to 3 years, 55% are children from 3 to 15 years, and over 15 years is 9%.
The first place goes to acute leukemia — 34%, the second place to brain tumors — 16%, the third place to neuroblastoma — 12%, followed by lymphomas — 7%, retinoblastoma — 7%.
In the regions of Kazakhstan, about 4,000 children are under dynamic surveillance, of which about 300 children receive supportive therapy.
Today, the treatment effectiveness for some oncological diseases in children in our country ranges from 70-90%. Lymphoblastic leukemia – 78%; retinoblastoma - 96%; osteosarcoma — 91.7%; soft tissue sarcomas - 85.3%; nephroblastoma - 82.4%; lymphomas - 85%, and there are more malignant forms of cancer that develop as a result of genetic malfunctions, yet treatment outcomes for them are still not so high. However, world medicine is progressing and Kazakhstan today has the capabilities for controlling such situations and prolonging the lives of such patients.
The effectiveness of cancer therapy depends on timely diagnosis; the cancer diagnosis rate at stages I-II in children in the country increased from 37% in 2016 to 40% in 2017.
Furthermore, representatives of the NCPCH of the Ministry of Health note that about 50% of childhood cancer is of congenital nature and can arise as a result of cell mutation even before the child's birth. Therefore, when speaking about cancer prevention in children, the emphasis is placed on the importance of maintaining parents' health.
In recent years, there is also significant support provided to children with cancer and their parents from NGOs, volunteers, and private individuals who try to help financially for families with limited income, single mothers, and provide psychological adaptation for children with cancer.
This assistance varies — from individual (purchasing clothes, diapers, detergents, personal hygiene products) to large projects such as charity concerts, production of social videos, funding for treatment in foreign clinics, organization of performances with the participation of children who have overcome cancer.
On August 4, 2018, the first musical charity run, Charity Music Run, will take place in Almaty. The starting point for the route of runners will be the Park named after the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Along the route there will be performances by youth music bands. On the stage in the park named after the First President, there will be performances by Live band Touché and Vivatili Block Buster show ballet.
The event is organized by NurBank JSC.
Charity Music Run was created to help children with oncological diseases and to promote a healthy lifestyle. The funds raised by Charity Music Run will be directed to improving living conditions for parents staying in the Scientific Center for Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan to care for patients. It is planned to install laundry equipment, organize relaxation and psychological relief rooms for those caring for the child. Improving living conditions for hospitalized children and parents is considered one of the important tasks, as parents play a vital role in supporting their child and contribute greatly to the diagnostic and therapeutic process, ensuring psychological comfort during the difficult and long treatment in hospital.
Approximately 1,500 people are expected to participate in the event. In addition to the starting fees for half-marathoners, anyone can donate funds in aid of children with cancer.
Eldar Sarsenov, CEO of NurBank JSC:
"NurBank has always paid close attention to providing sponsorship and charitable assistance. Helping children is a priority area for the bank. Currently, we have two projects aimed at helping children from orphanages — 'Time to Give Warmth' and the republic-wide project 'Ticket to Life'. The projects are successful and are already yielding positive results. This year we decided to expand our charitable activities and support children with oncological diseases. The run starts in the Park named after the First President, continues along the bank of Bolshaya Almatinka River to Toraigyrov Street, and finishes in the Park named after the First President. The entry fee is 4,000 tenge and includes a guaranteed package - backpack, t-shirt, number, and instructions. Anyone can participate in the half-marathon regardless of their level of athletic training."
Popova Natalia Vyacheslavovna, Development Director of the Athletics Federation of Almaty:
"Running is the most accessible sport. You can run anywhere: on the street, in stadiums, in gyms, which is why marathons, races, and various events related to running are held around the world, and people happily support this movement. Participants of the Charity Music Run are offered to choose from traditional distances: 3 km, 10 km, 21 km, Nordic walking for 10 km. These distances are distributed in accordance with world standards in the context of age categories. The event starts at 07.00, the children's race starts at 07.30 am, at 08.00 — 21 km race start, at 08.15 — 10 km race start. Regardless of race results, each runner will receive commemorative prizes. Runners placing in the top positions in each category will receive certificates, medals, and valuable prizes from the bank and partners."
To participate in the race, you need to register online and make a payment on the half-marathon website www.nurrun.kz. Registration for participation in the citywide race ends on July 31, 2018, or until the total number of participants - 1,500 people on the 10 and 21 km distances, the limit for the children's 3 km race – 200 people. The distribution of starter kits will be conducted at the following address: Almaty, Baizakov Street 280, coworking SmartPoint on August 2 and 3, 2018 from 12:00 to 21:00.
Reference Information:
NurBank JSC was established on August 3, 1992, in Atyrau. In 2003, the head bank relocated to Almaty. The largest shareholder of the bank is JP Finance Group LLP (82.81% of shares), controlled by businessman Rashid Sarsenov.
According to the National Bank, NurBank ranked 14th among 32 Kazakh banks in terms of assets by the end of Q1 2018. In 2018, the international rating agency Standard & Poor's upgraded NurBank's rating on the national scale from "kzB+" to "kzBB-". At the same time, the long-term and short-term credit ratings were confirmed at the previous level of B-/B.
The social activity schedule - Since 2014, the bank has been implementing the 'Ticket to Life' program, under which graduates of orphanages in the Republic of Kazakhstan are trained at Caspian University. As part of the program, the bank assumed the costs of tuition fees, monthly scholarships, transport tickets, food, and accommodation in Almaty. Additionally, students participating in the program can subsequently find employment in the bank's numerous regional branches. In 2017, Yerlan Zhylangozov - the first participant of the program received a higher education diploma. He is currently working at the head office of NurBank JSC. In 2018, three participants of the program graduated from university and received higher education diplomas — Sultan Mamanov, Zarina Daubaeva, Kuralay Kyzylova. This year, the bank will continue enrolling participants in the program.
For further information, please contact the bank's press service:
+7 (727) 259 97 10 ext. 5465