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ACU is changing childhood cancer outcomes in Nepal

In Nepal, retinoblastoma is the most common eye cancer among children with roughly 50 new cases detected each year but treatment is out of reach for many families.

For the past 18 months, Australian Catholic University has supported families of children with retinoblastoma in Nepal by funding their treatment at the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu.

Retinoblastoma is the most common eye cancer among children and can be fatal if left untreated. Children referred to Open Eyes Nepal undergo chemotherapy, enucleation or removal of the eyeball, and receive expensive custom-fit prosthesis free of charge.

ACU’s funding arrangement is part of a four-year partnership with Open Eyes Nepal, a not-for-profit organisation, that provides free treatment for children with retinoblastoma.

It has enabled Open Eyes Nepal to continue to support children and families who suffer from the impacts of retinoblastoma.

“The impact of retinoblastoma is high because it’s the only eye cancer that occurs in children less than five years old and is life threatening if not treated in time,” Dr Purnima Rajkarnikar Sthapit, founder and chairperson of Open Eyes Nepal, said.

“When a child gets the disease, the whole family’s household and economy becomes imbalanced because treatment is long and expensive.”

In most cases, treatment involves chemotherapy which is often followed by removal of the eye.

“The funds provided by ACU have helped a lot in lifting the financial burden of treatment expenses, as well as providing prosthetic eyes, which also helps in social rehabilitation,” Dr Rajkarnikar said. 

In the 18 months since the ACU/Open Eyes Nepal partnership began, around 40 patients have received free treatment at the Tilganga Institute with around 28 receiving custom-made prosthetic eyes.

One of those patients was Januka, a three-year-old girl with retinoblastoma in both eyes. Her mother, a single parent who worked at a carpet-weaving factory, couldn’t afford treatment.

Open Eyes Nepal arranged a comprehensive program of treatment funded by ACU. She received a custom made prosthetic implant for her right eye. However, we could save her left eye with chemotherapy, transpupillary thermotherapy, cryotherapy and regular examinations under anaesthesia

Pro-Vice Chancellor Global and Education Pathways Chris Riley said Januka’s story is a living example of ACU’s commitment to the common good and to enhancing the dignity of people and communities around the world.

“As a Catholic institution and a public university, we see this opportunity as an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate our values in a meaningful way, he said.

“ACU is proud to support an outstanding organisation that has become a lifeline to young children who are desperate for a second chance at life.

“Now, nearly two years into the partnership, we are delighted to hear the stories of children whose lives have been transformed by our work with Open Eyes Nepal.”