Fighting cancer in developing countries: a cooperative model of oncology service in uganda

Abstract

Background and aim: in Subsaharian Countries cancer detection and therapy still represents a challenge. The most relevant issues are:1) Inadequate cancer facilities 2) Inadequate funds for cancer 3) Cost of Cancer treatment is too high 4) Many patients being misled by distinguished hospital staffs and community members 5) Few centers of cancer diagnosis and treatment in the countries. Since march 2012 to February 2015 a cooperative project implemented by italian non-profit organization(AISPO, AFRON, POF) and funded by Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was held in order to provide opportunities for female cancer prevention and treatment. Aim of the Project was to improve prevention and clinical services for diagnosis and treatment of Cervix (CC) and Breast Cancer (BC) at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya in Kampala (Uganda). Method(s): a staff of oncologists, nurses and laboratory technicians provide integrated and consecutive missions in order 1) to improve screening procedures for CC and BC; 2) to provide logistics, procedures and treatment knowledge in oncologic care, applying international standards and procedures. Result(s): during the project more than 900 days of training and technical assistance were provided. 3 nurses with advanced training and skills on chemotherapy preparation and administration and 10 nurses with practical training have been procured and a Day Hospital facility has been set up. CC and BC campaign reached more than 250.000 women, with 5800 women screened and 471 cervix cancer/pre cancer lesion and 87 breast cancer detected. Improvement in cancer therapy was also reached, with increasing number of patients admitted for chemotherapy (CT) since 2012 (8 new pts, 25 CT cycles delivered) to 2014 (43 new pts, 150 CT cycles delivered). During the 3 years of the project the surgical activity also raised, with an enhancement of 60% . The biomedical department performances improved from 275 in 2012 to 555 in 2014 instruments in use . Moreover, oncologic medical record, informed consent, CT delivering chart, surgical procedures and multidisciplinary management team have been shared and assessed. Conclusion(s): to build strong partnership for better cancer services in developing countries is crucial and cooperative modalities of intervention could really provide definitive tools of improvement.