Venezuelan State reinforces childhood cancer care with a network of 20 hospitals

Published at: 15/02/2026 01:23 PM

The national director of Oncology, Gisela Vargas, reported that the country has 20 hospitals specialized in pediatric oncology and three bone marrow transplant centers —two public and one private— located in Valencia, the Dr. Domingo Luciani Hemato-Oncology and Radiosurgery Complex, in El Llanito, and the Caracas Hospital de Clínicas.

Vargas stressed that Venezuela maintains a permanent presence to care for pediatric patients and stressed that, on February 15, the International Day for the Fight against Childhood Cancer, it invites us to reinforce prevention actions. He indicated that, worldwide, around 280,000 diagnoses are registered per year and that, in the country, between 800 and 1,000 cases are reported annually, a figure that led to the declaration of this disease as a health priority 15 years ago.

He announced that the State will introduce the human papillomavirus vaccine, aimed at girls over 10 years old, as part of protective measures against cervical cancer.

The member of the National Directorate of Oncology, Álvaro Castro, explained that the most common tumors in childhood are retinoblastoma, lymphomas, those of the central nervous system and renal tumors. He recalled that the Ministry of Health guarantees free treatment through its assistance mechanisms.

Vargas specified that, by 2025, it was estimated that 74,000 cancer patients would be treated from their first contact with the health system. He added that there are more than 60 care centers, 20 pediatric oncology services and 20 radiation therapy units throughout the country.

He indicated that there are currently eight radiotherapy teams in operation in Miranda, Caracas, Sucre, Bolívar, Anzoátegui and Lara, and that four more will be added. He also highlighted that the 60 centers offer chemotherapy with the support of 57 high-cost pharmacies, which provide between 70% and 80% of the necessary treatment, with the objective of achieving full coverage.

The director added that hospitals perform oncological surgeries and that information actions are being carried out to promote early diagnosis in collaboration with attending physicians and communities.

Castro stated that cancer constitutes a public health challenge and specified that the most common types in adults are breast and cervical cancer in women and prostate, colon, rectum and lung cancer in men.

Both specialists agreed that early diagnosis is crucial to preserve patients' lives.

Mazo News Team