Leyla Aliyeva Highlights Global Cooperation in Fight Against Childhood Cancer
Samarkand, The Gulf Observer: Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, has underscored the importance of international cooperation, comprehensive medical care and psychological support in improving the treatment and quality of life of children battling cancer.
Aliyeva made the remarks while attending the opening ceremony of the Second International Congress on Childhood Oncology, held under the motto “From Cure to Quality of Life” in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, as part of the World Summit on Investing in Children’s Well-being.
In her address, she thanked the organisers for arranging the congress and emphasised the need for continued global collaboration to address the challenges associated with childhood cancer.
“Every child deserves respect, care and the chance to lead a fulfilling life,” Aliyeva said, stressing that despite significant progress in cancer treatment, sustained international efforts remained essential to providing hope and support to affected children and their families.
She reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to supporting children worldwide, noting that childhood cancer care was also a priority for her country.
Aliyeva highlighted the establishment of the Children’s Oncology Clinic in March 2012, describing it as the first paediatric clinic of the National Centre of Oncology in the region.
She also emphasised the importance of initiatives that bring together paediatric oncology specialists and organisations, describing the establishment of a coalition to combat childhood cancer as another significant step towards strengthening international cooperation.
Referring to Azerbaijan’s support for affected children, Aliyeva said their medical treatment was funded by the state and that assistance continued to be provided to children and their families.
She stressed that no child or family should have to face the challenges of cancer alone.
Aliyeva further highlighted the close relationship between emotional and physical well-being, calling for greater attention to the psychological dimensions of healthcare alongside advances in medical research and treatment.
“As we continue our research into cancer, we must not overlook the emotional aspects of health. The link between the brain and the body is profound. Further research is needed to understand how emotional trauma, stress and environmental factors influence our health,” she said.
She noted that children were particularly sensitive to their surroundings and could be significantly affected by their parents’ emotional well-being and the atmosphere within their homes.
Referring to the teachings of the renowned physician Ibn Sina, Aliyeva stressed the importance of considering the underlying causes of diseases when developing treatment approaches.
She also called for psychological support to be integrated into childhood cancer care, emphasising that every child should feel loved, respected and understood throughout treatment and recovery.
In her concluding remarks, Aliyeva expressed gratitude to healthcare professionals, researchers and organisations working to improve the quality of life of children affected by cancer.
She emphasised that children should not only receive appropriate medical treatment but also be given the opportunity to enjoy fulfilling lives with dignity, emotional support and care.
Other speakers at the opening ceremony included Tamila Aliyeva, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan for Healthcare Reform; Kazakhstan’s Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova; and Kyrgyzstan’s Health Minister Damirbek Osmonov.
The congress serves as a platform for international dialogue and cooperation on improving childhood cancer treatment, strengthening healthcare systems and ensuring better long-term outcomes and quality of life for young patients.
