The young children who are taking prolonged and intensive treatment for cancer at the Tata Memorial Hospital will no longer mean a break from learning. The hospital paediatric facility now offers classes right on its premises, and even arranges for children to go to a school dedicated to young cancer patients.

The doctors of TMH said that “This service was started in the month of March this year which is being offered by Impact Foundation, the paediatric foundation of TMH, the country’s premier oncology facility. It already managed and engaged children of both in and out patients with activities and classroom sessions that keeps their mind active and ensures an easy transition to academics once their treatment is over”.

Dr Shripad Banavali, head of the department, paediatric and medical oncology, TMH on announcing the launch formally said that “while so far the hospital was only taking care of the financial need of general category patients, they realised that a more holistic approach was needed, and more so in the case of children. We were nurturing the body, now we also nurture the mind.”

He added that 70 to 80 percent children get totally cured and only proper education can ensure they are an active part of the society. As part of the initiative, a customised educational programme is given to children in the ward, in addition to short activities that are conducted for children in the waiting area.

The classes inside the hospital are conducted by professional teachers of Mindsprings Enrichment Centre that works with a cross-section of children with specific learning needs, some young patients are also sent to Canshala, a school run by Can Kids, for children suffering from cancer, at Elphinstone Road.

Moreover, at the end of the treatment, when children are fit to go back to their regular school, Canshala issues a certificate so that they don’t miss a year.

The education plan is well drawn out. Shalini Jatia, secretary, Impact Foundation, said they register every child who comes for treatment to TMH, find out which school he or she goes to, the medium of instruction and then initiate a programme based on that.

Gaurav Narula, professor, paediatric oncology, said the programme has matured in the last nine months and was already showing results with children eager to be part of the classroom sessions.

The programme is driven by NGOs, individuals and corporates through the Corporate Social Responsibility Arm. This programme helps the children to feel normal