Retinoblastoma is a rare but highly curable eye cancer affecting young children and its early detection and timely treatment are critical to saving life, vision, and childhood.
India has achieved near-universal access to care for children with retinoblastoma — a landmark first among childhood cancers and cancers in the country — through a decade-long collaborative effort led by Fight Retinoblastoma India, a national multi-stakeholder platform facilitated by CanKids…KidsCan since 2013.
The milestone was celebrated at the National Retinoblastoma Conclave held during International Retinoblastoma Week at Constitution Club, New Delhi, bringing together pediatric oncologists, ocular oncologists, ophthalmologists, pediatricians, researchers, survivors, parents, government representatives, hospitals, civil society organisations, and philanthropic partners from across India.
The conclave theme, “From Access to Survival – India is Fighting RB and We Are Winning,” highlighted India’s progress in building a collaborative, patient-centred model for retinoblastoma care.
Over the last decade, Fight Retinoblastoma India has helped create a collaborative network of over 90 retinoblastoma treating centres integrating pediatric oncology and ocular oncology expertise across India, significantly improving diagnosis, referral pathways, treatment access, and continuity of care for children and families.
During the event, a specially-recorded Chief Guest Address was delivered by Dr M Srinivas, Member Health, NITI Aayog, Government of India, who congratulated all stakeholders on achieving near-universal access to retinoblastoma care in India.
Dr Srinivas described Fight Retinoblastoma India as “a remarkable model of stakeholder collaboration for patient-centred healthcare.”
“India is showing the world that collaborative, patient-centred systems can make near-universal childhood cancer access possible even in a resource-constrained setting,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Dr Neelam Mohan, President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), emphasised: “Red reflex screening for retinoblastoma and other serious childhood eye conditions should become an integral part of routine pediatric and immunisation screening practice in India.”
Addressing the conclave, Dr Pankaj Arora, Director, National Health Authority (NHA), Government of India, stated, “India has made remarkable progress in improving access to retinoblastoma care. The next frontier is ensuring 100 per cent financial protection for every child and family, while working towards global survival outcomes through stronger systems, partnerships, and continuity of care.”
Speaking at the event, Poonam Bagai, Founder Chairman of CanKids…KidsCan, said: “Retinoblastoma has shown us what is possible when clinicians, survivors, parents, researchers, government, hospitals, and civil society work together with the child and family at the centre. India is fighting retinoblastoma — and we are winning.”