The Paediatric Oncology Department at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore takes a broad range of approximately 700-800 new childhood cancers of all major types every year. Rare types of cancers are also accepted for treatment on a case-to-case basis. These patients are then given the most up-to-date treatment following international protocols. Around 15,500 outpatient appointments were entertained last year to evaluate those who were undergoing treatment and to ensure desired follow-up for patients who had completed their treatment. Departmental faculty comprises of consultants and senior instructors trained at well-reputed national and international hospitals.
The Paediatric Oncology department has a dedicated 35-bed Inpatient unit with an average of 28-35 children admitted at any given time. Intensive care unit (ICU) facility is also available for children requiring such care, led by paediatric intensivists.
SKMCH&RC, Lahore provides 24/7 emergency care by a dedicated team.
The department has a 12-beded unit where outpatient chemotherapy is provided to 40-50 patients every day.
Outpatient clinics for cancer patients are held on a daily basis along with a long-term follow up clinic for patients who have completed their cancer treatment.
: This outpatient bay provides services for administration of parenteral antibiotics for oncology patients with an average of 50-60 visits per day. Those needing growth factors (GCSF), elective blood transfusions and blood thinners e.g. Enoxaparin are also accommodated in the same facility.
Fellowship programme in Paediatrics is offered since July 2024, providing training in all aspects of Paediatric Medicine through a structure curriculum approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), leading to FCPS in Paeditrics.
Fellowship programme in Paediatric Oncology provides training in all aspects of oncology, as well as Malignant Haematology through a structured training curriculum recognised by the CPSP, leading to second FCPS in Paediatric Oncology.
A hospital-based fellowship for Paediatric Critical Care is also offered.
Departmental academic activity includes daily patient ward rounds, weekly grand rounds, weekly fellow teaching sessions, journal clubs, protocol reviews and multi-disciplinary meetings for leukaemia, lymphomas, bone marrow transplant, sarcomas, solid tumors and neuro oncology.
