(Agence Ecofin) – Only 20% of the 200,000 children with cancer in sub-Saharan Africa are diagnosed. These cases are mostly treated overseas, due to the lack of cancer care in some parts of the continent due to lack of training and qualified professionals.
A working group made up of members of the Gustave Roussy Institute in Paris, the Franco-African Pediatric Oncology Group, the Rabat School of Medicine, the Ugandan Cancer Institute and the University Hospital of Antwerp has just been set up to reflect on a possible harmonization of training programs in childhood cancer.
The working group formed under the initiative of the Sanofi Espoir Foundation was launched on the occasion of World Childhood Cancer Day, which took place on Monday, February 15, 2021.
“The international recognition of training provided in French will harmonize courses and promote exchanges between health professionals for the benefit of young patients”, said Dr Jean-Christophe Rufin, president of the Sanofi Espoir Foundation.
[#ChildhoodCancer] On #ICCD2021, we wish to encourage harmonized medical ? #training in #Africa and promote exchanges between healthcare professionals
Read the news?️?https://t.co/mLzyNBQQoK#throughourhands@WorldSIOP@assogfaop@GustaveRoussy@LHessissen@UgandaCancerIns pic.twitter.com/mQoWw8z1q8– Sanofi Espoir Foundation (@SanofiEspoir) February 15, 2021
This initiative is part of its “My Child Matters” program to support children with cancer in developing countries. The Foundation thus contributes to increasing the number of trained health professionals. The trainings are most often focused on the diagnosis of diseases.
For the time being, no deadline has been given for the implementation of this process. However, we know that this harmonization initiative wishes to make easier the mutual recognition of diploma courses delivered in Africa and to help promote international recognition of French-speaking courses. It will also be a question of allowing better interconnection between African health professionals in the different specialties of pediatric oncology.
There are very few specialists and centers specializing in pediatric oncology in Africa. Only 20% of patients manage to have treatment on the continent.
In addition, it is noted a disparity of specialists. Another situation that should be resolved through the harmonization of training programs. However, for the implementation of this initiative, it will be necessary to face the great diversification of national systems. In addition, the new programs resulting from this process must take into account the African reality.
The management of pediatric cancer cases still remains a big challenge in Africa. According to the Franco-African Pediatric Oncology Group, 20,000 children suffer from cancer each year in sub-Saharan Africa. But only 15% reach a hospital care unit, and often at an advanced stage of the disease. This explains the high death rate. Of these diagnosed cases, 80% of cures are recorded abroad.
Vanessa Ngono Atangana
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