Cancer care in countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is hindered by many challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of skilled health-care professionals, and economic constraints. These factors contribute to disparities in timely diagnosis and treatment, leading to poorer health outcomes. Health-care systems within the region vary considerably, ranging from free public health care in Sri Lanka to predominantly out-of-pocket expenses in Bangladesh, highlighting inequities in financial access and service delivery for patients within this region. The absence of comprehensive national health insurance systems imposes substantial financial burdens on patients with cancer and their families, often resulting in catastrophic health-care costs. Paediatric oncology services reflect these disparities with greater clarity. Although Bangladesh has developed multiple treatment centres, issues such as delayed diagnoses and financial barriers persist. By contrast, countries such as Afghanistan and the Maldives have few specialised paediatric oncology services, necessitating costly referrals abroad that place large strains on families. Geriatric oncology remains underdeveloped across most SAARC nations, with few dedicated services and guidelines. Despite progress in India and Sri Lanka, gaps in specialised training and holistic care for older patients remain. Addressing these disparities requires coordinated efforts, including improving health-care infrastructure, expanding insurance coverage, and fostering regional collaborations. Implementing comprehensive national cancer control programmes across SAARC nations, leveraging intercountry networks, and ensuring political commitment are essential to achieving equitable cancer care and advancing Sustainable Development Goals in the region.

中文翻译：

---

南亚区域合作联盟 （SAARC） 地区的癌症护理和外展：克服障碍并应对挑战


南亚区域合作联盟 （SAARC） 国家的癌症护理受到许多挑战的阻碍，包括基础设施不足、熟练医疗保健专业人员的短缺和经济限制。这些因素导致及时诊断和治疗方面的差异，导致健康状况较差。该地区的医疗保健系统差异很大，从斯里兰卡的免费公共卫生到孟加拉国主要是自付费用，这凸显了该地区患者在财务获取和服务提供方面的不平等。缺乏全面的国家健康保险系统给癌症患者及其家人带来了巨大的经济负担，往往导致灾难性的医疗保健费用。儿科肿瘤学服务更清楚地反映了这些差异。尽管孟加拉国已经建立了多个治疗中心，但延迟诊断和财务障碍等问题仍然存在。相比之下，阿富汗和马尔代夫等国家几乎没有专门的儿科肿瘤学服务，需要昂贵的转诊到国外，给家庭带来巨大压力。在大多数 SAARC 国家，老年肿瘤学仍然不发达，很少有专门的服务和指南。尽管印度和斯里兰卡取得了进展，但在老年患者的专业培训和整体护理方面仍然存在差距。解决这些差异需要协调一致的努力，包括改善医疗保健基础设施、扩大保险覆盖面和促进区域合作。 在 SAARC 国家实施全面的国家癌症控制计划，利用国家间网络，并确保政治承诺，对于实现公平的癌症护理和推进该地区的可持续发展目标至关重要。