The 10th PHOSSCON conference, held alongside the 29th Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Conference (PHOCON) at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, focused on improving childhood cancer survival in India through research, policy advocacy and collaborative healthcare initiatives.
A key highlight was research led by Dr Sameer Bakhshi and his team at AIIMS New Delhi, consolidating childhood cancer survival evidence from 182 studies involving 22,886 children over three decades.
Patient advocates Poonam Bagai and Sonal Sharma, who supported the research and co-authored the study, highlighted the importance of evidence-based monitoring as India works towards the global target of achieving at least 60 per cent survival among children with cancer by 2030.
The conference also saw 24 non-governmental organisations agree to participate in a patient-journey study involving 400 families. Guided by Dr Pooja Sharma of Apar Health under the PACER (Patient Advocates for Clinical Research) project, the study aims to document families’ experiences and inform healthcare policy and delivery.
Discussions covered the Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative, its strategic roadmap, engagement with the Union Health Ministry’s technical expert group and implementation through state-level partnerships.
In Punjab, an integrated childhood cancer care framework is being developed in partnership with HBCH Mullanpur, AIIMS Bathinda, Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana and CanKids, building on the organisation’s engagement with the state government since 2017.
The conference also honoured senior paediatric oncologist Dr Revathy Raj with the Lifetime Achievement Lokeshwar Award for her contribution to childhood cancer care.
Organising chair Poonam Bagai said the conference’s decade-long journey reflected the expanding role of NGOs in research, advocacy and healthcare system development, alongside continued support for affected families.
The event was held on October 24–25 at IISER Mohali.