In 2019 we partnered with Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), located in Kampala, to establish the Paediatric Cancer Partnership. Patients from across Uganda, and surrounding East African countries access the paediatric oncology services provided at UCI. This partnership is part of the Uganda Cambridge Cancer Initiative, with partners including Cambridge Africa, Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), CRUK Cambridge Centre, and the University of Cambridge Department of Pathology.
This partnership is focusing on improving care for children with cancer with the ultimate aim of supporting the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) objective of achieving at least 60% survival for all children with cancer by 2030.
In order to meet this aim, our partnership is working on supporting pathology and the diagnostic pathways, improving the safety of prescription and administration of chemotherapy and strengthening aspects of supportive care.
Over the past two years the team have worked to implement emergency chemotherapy protocols to:
The partnership is hybrid, compromising fortnightly meetings and learning sessions as well as in person visits to Uganda and to the UK, where necessary. We hope that linking Pathologists in UCI and CUH will allow training, mentorship and support around the diagnosis of often complex paediatric tumours
Recently the partnership has published the first in a series of information leaflets developed by the partnership teams and Cambridge University students. Lack of understanding about childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment by patients and their families was identified as a reason for high rates of treatment abandonment. Max Tagg and Jess Knight undertook their medical elective in the partnership in June – July 2022 and developed the information leaflets for children and their families at UCI. The first of these were printed and given to patients and their families in February 2023. Until now, no patient and family education resources have existed with explanation and guidance on childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The on-site charitable foundation, Bless a Child Foundation (BACF), which provides accommodation and support services for children undergoing treatment, is an essential part of the paediatric oncology pathway. We hope to continue developing links with the foundation.
Read our impact story on Dr Denise Williams and learn more about this partnership here.“I also hope that we can continue to build on our friendships, based on honesty and mutual respect. In turn, ensuring we get the best from each other by recognising our strengths and weaknesses, and using them to achieve our goal, irrespective of cadre. And most importantly I would like to think that we can work together in the partnership to really makes a difference to the lives of children with cancer."
Dr Denise Williams, co-lead of the Paediatric Cancer Health Partnership
What is a health partnership?
A long-term link between health institutions in high and low/middle-income countries, health partnerships facilitate the flow of ideas and expertise between the different healthcare systems to strengthen services and improve patient outcomes. Health partnerships achieve this through training programmes, sharing and learning, based on the healthcare needs of the overseas partner.
Interested in getting involved?
Head to our becoming a member or becoming a partner pages to see how to get involved.
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |