Cancer survival rates in sub-Saharan Africa and India are much poorer than in High-Income Countries (HICs) because of late detection and poorer access to good-quality treatment. The gaping disparities in cancer detection and treatment between HICs and LMICs are unacceptable, and there is a lot we can do change that. Along with gaps in the number of providers, important gaps in knowledge and skills pose a big challenge. Diagnostic, pathology, surgery, treatment, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are areas where skill shortages or outdated knowledge mean that cancer patients may not get the care they need. The program looks to improve knowledge, skills and practices in prostate and breast cancer amongst HCPs in our target countries so that they can deliver cancer detection and care that is timely, of high quality, and as close to the patient as possible.

Implementation

We will create and deliver a training program that also becomes an up-to-date knowledge repository for specialist and non-specialist cadres of HCPs.The program will be designed and customized for HCPs in East and Central Africa (served from a base of operations in Kenya), West Africa (from Nigeria) and India (staff in Delhi and Mumbai). Our program is delivered via an innovative and exciting online platform called Medical Learning Hub (www.medicallearninghub.com). The social impact company with which we are affiliated, Tech Care for All, designed Medical Learning Hub (MLH) to democratize access to medical education and experience sharing exclusively in LMICs, starting with Africa and India.

Outcomes strategy

Our hypothesis is that by improving the knowledge of HCPs working in LMICs, on current good practice and recent advances in diagnosis, management and treatment of breast and prostate cancers, we will contribute to reducing health inequities between our target countries and rich nations of the global north.

Target audiences

• Specialist doctors: oncologists, gynecologists, surgeons and surgical oncologists.
• Non-specialists and primary care providers: frontline cadres that can contribute to cancer care.

The aim here is to increase awareness and alert them to take steps (permitted by national norms for their cadre but that they may not currently do) to help a) identify patients suspected of cancer, b) provide basic support, initial diagnosis and basic management and c) refer to specialists as needed. We will reach and enroll HCPs throughout India and Africa.