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ACTIVE SINCE: 2016
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Oncology Fellowship in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Access Accelerated
Takeda in partnership with the University of Nairobi have developed an oncology fellowship program to address the shortage of oncologists in Kenya and SSA.
SGDS CONTRIBUTING TO:
MEMBER COMPANIES:
Planning, monitoring and evaluating the program in collaboration with the University of Nairobi. Funding the program.
PARTNERING WITH:
SEE ALL PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Academia or research institute 1
Objectives
  • To address the shortage of oncologists in Kenya and SSA to ultimately improve and positively impact cancer care, diagnosis and treatment for patients.

Health needs and challenges

SSA lacks adequate cancer care infrastructure and there is a great shortage of oncologists. As training abroad is expensive and entry is difficult, local solutions are desperately needed. In some countries like Kenya the majority of cancer specialists work in private medical facilities in Nairobi (Ministry of Health, Kenya. National Cancer Control Strategy 2017-2022. Nairobi, June 2017). Unfortunately though these facilities are not affordable for the majority of Kenyans.

How the activity is addressing the needs and challenges

This program aims to address the shortage of oncologists in Kenya and SSA, through an oncology fellowship program at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. The fellowship is available to those who hold a Masters of Medicine in Internal Medicine from across the region. The two year program seeks to expand access to Specialist treatment in SSA that meets international standards, and is accredited by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

The training includes:

  • Competencies related to recognizing cancer, making a prompt diagnosis and offering appropriate treatment
  • Skills to effectively carry out cancer prevention programs, community surveillance and early detection
  • Leadership and clinical / environmental management of cancer
  • Self-learning, critical thinking, research skills, and capacity to translate cancer research into practice and policy

On completion of the training, fellows will receive a recognized formal certification in medical oncology.

Results and milestones

Through the collaboration with the University of Nairobi we are supporting the development of high quality local oncology capacity, that will have a long-term sustainable impact on strengthening the healthcare system in Sub Saharan Africa. Of the 6 fellows that registered in the inaugural Fellowship program in 2016, 5 fellows graduated in 2018.

By addressing the shortage of cancer specialists the program ultimately aims to bring about an increase in the number of facilities offering cancer treatment including public facilities, and improve access to treatment for all patients, particularly in rural areas outside of the main cities, and people in the poorest segment of the population who cannot afford to attend private facilities.

Geographic Reach
Disease Area
  • Non-communicable diseases
See Disease Areas
Target Population
  • People with low incomes
SGDs the partnership contributes to
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  1. 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage
  2. 3.C: Health workforce
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals 
Partner organizations
Academia or research institute
University of
Nairobi

Providing educational framework and curriculum development for oncologist training, including work on cancer cases that are specific to the region; institutional knowledge to maximize learning; partnerships with global universities and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) through which case study management systems can be interfaced.

Geographic Reach

Africa

  • Kenya

Disease Area

Non-communicable diseases

  • Cancer
    • Other Cancer