The Pediatric Oncology Department, Indus Hospital & Health Network, conducted a workshop titled “Supportive Care as a Game Changer in Pediatric Oncology” as part of the pre-workshop activities for ICON. The workshop aimed to strengthen multidisciplinary understanding of supportive care—an essential pillar of pediatric oncology that significantly influences treatment safety, and overall outcomes. A total of 32 participants attended, including 16 in person and 16 joining remotely from shared-care centers.
The session opened with a keynote address by Dr. Quratulain Riaz, who emphasized the importance of supportive care in improving survival and enhancing quality of life for children undergoing cancer therapy. This was followed by a comprehensive series of focused talks by experienced faculty members. Dr. Naila Rafiq delivered an insightful presentation on Rapid Triage in Febrile Neutropenia, highlighting the importance of timely decision-making and structured triage pathways in preventing life-threatening complications. Dr. Kishwer Nadeem then spoke on Mucositis: Early Detection and Effective Support, outlining current best practices and newer management strategies.
This was followed by a session on Effective Pain Control by Dr. Syed Ahmer Hamid, who reinforced practical, multimodal pain management approaches essential for pediatric oncology patients. Dr. Naeem Jabbar presented an engaging session on Transfusion Support in Pediatric Oncology, focusing on safe transfusion practices and recognition of transfusion reactions. The final talk was delivered by Mr. Sajid Ali Channa, who presented on Central Line Care, emphasizing adherence to standardized techniques and infection prevention.
The workshop concluded with remarks from Dr. Sadia Imran, Head of Pediatric Oncology, who highlighted supportive care as a cornerstone of effective pediatric oncology management, especially in resource-limited settings. Overall, the workshop was highly informative and clinically relevant, offering evidence-based knowledge and practical tools to strengthen essential supportive care practices in pediatric oncology.