HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd (HCG), South Asia’s largest cancer network, in association with Sanofi has also launched an exclusive Fun Center for paediatric patients. The facility which is a first in Karnataka will help to improve the psychological condition of paediatric cancer cases.

Sanofi  ‘Fun Center’ is a recreational area integrated with a pediatric unit. It is a  child-friendly decorated playroom, where children can take their minds off their treatment regimen and  enjoy recreational activities like playing with toys, reading comic books, or novels, quiz/riddle books, or playing board games. The Fun Center is also equipped with a Play Station and DVD player for them to watch children’s movies and cartoons. Sanofi has started 25 Fun Centers in collaboration with various hospitals in Brazil, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and India to benefit innumerable children.

According to Dr. B S Ajaikumar, chairman, HCG, despite there a higher proportion of childhood cancer in India, the condition is not given a  priority status in healthcare. This is where the  fun centre will help children psychologically to cope up with the stress, while they undergo treatment.”

“Although cancer in children is on the rise due to various factors, most of them can be cured if treated early. While there have been great advances made in the treatment of childhood cancer and subsequent improvements in survival rates, it is unfortunate that this has not reached the majority of children diagnosed with cancer. This is largely due to lack of accessibility, facilities & awareness. Having a fun centre where paediatric patients are treated will definitely help in supplementing the efforts of the doctor to treat the patients. Leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer in India with a relative proportion varying between 25 to 40%, stated Dr. Intezar Mehdi, Paediatric Oncologist, HCG.

At Sanofi, it is our constant endeavour to listen, understand and respond to the needs of paediatric  and we are committed to providing children around the world with a recreational area which can bring joy to their lives during their stay at the hospital. This is our third Fun Center in India and we hope to reach many more children across the country in the near future. We have  partnered with  HCG, who are committed to taking it forward, said  Pradeep Vaishnav, Senior Director, Human Resources, India & South Asia for Sanofi.

Sanofi in India operates through four entities: Aventis Pharma Limited, Sanofi-Synthelabo (India) Limited, Sanofi Pasteur India Private Limited and Shantha Biotechnics. Sanofi-aventis and its 100% subsidiary Hoechst GmbH are the major shareholders of Aventis Pharma Limited and together hold 60.4% of its paid-up share capital. Sanofi-Synthelabo (India) Limited and Sanofi Pasteur are 100% subsidiaries of sanofi-aventis Group.