They are backing away: pediatric oncologists turned out to be a scarce specialty
Tuvan media reported that there is not a single pediatric oncologist left in the Republic of Tuva — residents are forced to leave the region in order to receive help. There are problems in other regions as well: it is the pediatric oncologist who is one of the most scarce specializations in the field of oncological care in Russia. Izvestia investigated how big the shortage is and how children's cancer care is organized in the country.
What problems have arisen in Tuva
The local TV channel 108 spoke about the difficult situation with oncological care for children in Tuva. With reference to the parents of sick children, it is reported that since March 2025, there has not been a single pediatric oncologist in the oncological dispensary. One of the families with a child diagnosed with breast cancer was forced to move to Krasnoyarsk simply in order to apply for quotas for qualified care in Moscow. At the same time, in response to the appeal, the republican Ministry of Health informed the child's mother that the cancer dispensary "is working to attract a doctor with appropriate qualifications to retrain as a pediatric oncologist."
The problem was confirmed by other families.
After these publications, the Ministry of Health of Tuva issued a report on how oncological care is provided to children in the region. However, there is no direct answer about the presence or absence of a pediatric oncologist. It is indicated that specialized care for children is provided at the Republican Oncological Dispensary "in accordance with the license," and district pediatricians and pediatric oncologists are engaged in dispensary supervision of children with oncological and hematological diseases. It is emphasized that refusals to provide medical care, which were stated by the media, "are not allowed."
"At the same time, it should be noted that a specialized structure for providing outpatient and inpatient medical care to children with cancer in Tuva is a matter of perspective, since currently, in accordance with the standards for the number of children with cancer, specialized medical care is provided in federal clinics," the report says.
Also, a building is currently being built on the basis of the Republican Children's Hospital, which will house specialized beds and outpatient monitoring facilities for children with oncological diseases. The People's Front told Izvestia that construction will be completed at the end of 2026.
The Government of the Republic of Tyva did not respond to Izvestia's request about the availability of pediatric oncologists.
How many pediatric oncologists are there in Russia
The number of oncologists of all specialties in Russia is growing: according to the report "The state of oncological care for the Russian population in 2024," at the end of last year, there were 10,784 doctors in this field in the country, compared with 8,520 in 2019. These data are not detailed: it is unknown how many of them are pediatric oncologists.
Yan Vlasov, co—chairman of the All-Russian Union of Patients, notes that in different years figures of about 250-380 pediatric oncologists for the whole of Russia were mentioned.
"At the same time, the distribution is extremely uneven across territories, and some regions do not have full—time pediatric oncologists at all," he told Izvestia. — In 2022, only 380 specialists were reported, and several dozen regions remained without pediatric oncologists.
He emphasizes that this is one of the most "narrow and intense specialties of the oncological field."
The Ministry of Health also recognized the shortage of specialists. In 2021, the Ministry named a figure of 348 pediatric oncologists in the Russian healthcare system, noting that there are simply no specialists of this profile in 27 regions. As early as September 2024, the Ministry of Health stated that relative to 2019, "the number of oncologists, including pediatric ones, increased by almost 37%," and staffing was estimated at 84%. But there was another problem: in 2023, only 11 people signed contracts for 88 targeted places in medical schools specializing in pediatric oncology.
Konstantin Smirnov, head of the Analytical Department in the Social sphere of the Executive Committee of the Popular Front, calls Izvestia the figure of 485 pediatric oncologists in 2023. But even this is not enough: in 2019, the need for these specialists at the N. N. Blokhin National Research Medical Center of Oncology was estimated at 600 specialists for the whole country.
"The situation with pediatric oncologists in Russia is indeed a matter of serious concern and is one of the most acute problems in the oncological care system," confirms the chairman of the International Union of Patients, a member of the Public council at Roszdravnadzor and a member of the ethics committee of the National Research Medical Center. Dmitry Rogachev Olga Vostrikova. — There is a shortage in some regions of the country. The Republic of Tyva is a prime example.
There are several reasons for the shortage. Firstly, it is a very complex, emotionally demanding and high-tech specialization that requires long and in-depth training. Secondly, specialists in this field often work in conditions of insufficient funding and support, especially in the regions. Finally, the distribution of specialists across the country is influenced by the general demographic situation and staff migration.
"The situation requires urgent systemic measures to support and develop human resources in this area in order to ensure that children across Russia have access to qualified medical care," Olga Vostrikova said.
Dmitry Morkovkin, an associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, points out that one of the problems is the salary of these specialists: the difference with "adult" colleagues can be noticeable.
—Adult oncology often has more opportunities to provide paid services, while pediatric oncology is almost entirely tied to the compulsory medical insurance system," he told Izvestia.
We should add that according to the report "The state of oncological care for the Russian population in 2024," about 3.5 thousand children are diagnosed with cancer annually. In 2024, 3,716 minors were taken under medical supervision for the first time, and a total of 32,456 children with this diagnosis were registered in oncological institutions.
At the same time, in a significant number of Russian regions, the report says, the registration of children with cancer remains unsatisfactory.
Izvestia sent a request to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
Is it possible to do without pediatric oncologists
Olga Vostrikova calls pediatric oncologists "practically irreplaceable" specialists.
"Without the participation of qualified pediatric oncologists, full—fledged care for children is impossible, as these specialists have the experience and knowledge to accurately diagnose various types of tumors in children, including rare and complex cases," she stressed. — Incorrect or delayed diagnosis significantly reduces the chances of successful treatment, and therefore the presence of such specialists in the healthcare system is a prerequisite for effective control of childhood cancer.
However, member of the HRC, President of the Association of Cancer Patients "Hello!" Irina Borovova notes that despite the shortage of specialists, the system of care for children with cancer is built and operates effectively.
— Childhood oncological diseases are much less common than in adults, which makes it possible to centralize the provision of care. If such a disease is detected in a child in a remote region, he is sent to regional or regional clinical children's hospitals, where there are specialized beds for cancer patients," the Izvestia interlocutor noted. — If high-tech assistance is required, the child is transferred to federal centers in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
Irina Borovova emphasizes that children receive basic treatment in federal centers, and in the regions only in cases where complex interventions are not required and can be adjusted on the spot.
"In addition, in recent years, thanks to the Circle of Kindness, children have received almost all modern and expensive treatment technologies, including those that cost hundreds of millions of rubles," she noted. — Pediatric oncology is a specific field that often requires the participation of not only oncologists, but also hematologists, as well as specialists in various surgical fields: abdominal, thoracic, cardio, neuro, transplantologists and others. This comprehensive approach has been implemented in major federal centers.
Yuri Shvets, associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, also notes that even in the presence of systemic problems, the achievements of the system are undeniable: federal centers have achieved outstanding results comparable to global ones, in particular, the survival rate in acute lymphoblastic leukemia reaches 80-90%.
Yan Vlasov also notes that over the past decades, the system of oncological care for children has noticeably strengthened due to the network of federal centers, primarily the National Research Medical Center named after him. Dmitry Rogachev, as well as unified clinical approaches and the growth of high-tech care.
— The key challenge is regional personnel and early detection "at the entrance", that is, in the primary level. It is also important to eliminate logistical gaps between the region, the subject and the federal center, — says Yan Vlasov. — Here, patient organizations consistently advocate the need to close the personnel and organizational gap between the regions and the federal level, fixing standards and routes so that a child with suspected cancer in any region quickly gets to a pediatric oncologist and then, if necessary, to the competence center.
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