African Region (AFR)
The East Africa NCD Alliance Initiative: A civil society benchmark report - responses to NCDs in East Africa, June 2014
The report provides a snapshot of the NCD response in the East Africa Community, from a civil society perspective. Progress was measured using the global NCD Alliance Benchmarking Tool, which focuses on implementation of priority NCD policy objectives and has also been piloted in South Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean as part of the Strengthening Health Systems, Supporting NCD Action programme. The East Africa Report highlights gaps and good practices, and provides an evidence-based platform for further action.
The East Africa Civil Society NCD Charter: From Commitment to action - accelerating the NCD response in East Africa, 13-15 June 2014
At the East Africa NCD Stakeholder Meeting, delegates developed and endorsed the East Africa NCD Civil Society Charter. This Charter aims to create a sense of urgency within the East Africa Community to accelerate progress at national and regional levels. It represents the shared priorities and views of NCD civil society in East Africa. The Charter is targeted principally at governments, regional institutions and the global community.
Context.
—
This report presents the proceedings of the
African Pathologists Summit, held under the auspices of
the African Organization for Research and Training in
Cancer.
Objectives.
—
To deliberate on the challenges and
constraints of the practice of pathology in Sub-Saharan
Africa and the avenues for addressing them.
Participants.
—
Collaborating organizations included the
American Society for Clinical Pathology; Association of
Pathologists of Nigeria; British Division of the International
Academy of Pathology; College of Pathologists of East,
Central and Southern Africa; East African Division of the
International Academy of Pathology; Friends of Africa–
United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology
Initiative
;
International Academy of Pathology; Interna-
tional Network for Cancer
Treatment and Research;
National Cancer Institute; National Health and Laboratory
Service of South Africa; Nigerian Postgraduate Medical
College; Royal College of Pathologists; West African
Division of the International Academy of Pathology; and
Faculty of Laboratory Medicine of the West African
College of Physicians.
Evidence.
—
Information on the status of the practice of
pathology was based on the experience of the participants,
who are current or past practitioners of pathology or are
involved in pathology education and research in Sub-
Saharan Africa.
Consensus Process.
—
The deliberations were carried out
through presentations and working discussion groups.
Conclusions.
—
The significant lack of professional and
technical personnel, inadequate infrastructure, limited
training opportunities, poor funding of pathology services
in Sub-Saharan Africa, and their significant impact on
patient care were noted. The urgency of addressing these
issues was recognized, and the recommendations that
were made are contained in this report.
(Arch Pathol Lab Med.
doi: 10.5858/arpa.2013-0732-CC)
Context.
—
This report presents the proceedings of the
African Pathologists Summit, held under the auspices of
the African Organization for Research and Training in
Cancer.
Objectives.
—
To deliberate on the challenges and
constraints of the practice of pathology in Sub-Saharan
Africa and the avenues for addressing them.
Participants.
—
Collaborating organizations included the
American Society for Clinical Pathology; Association of
Pathologists of Nigeria; British Division of the International
Academy of Pathology; College of Pathologists of East,
Central and Southern Africa; East African Division of the
International Academy of Pathology; Friends of Africa–
United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology
Initiative
;
International Academy of Pathology; Interna-
tional Network for Cancer
Treatment and Research;
National Cancer Institute; National Health and Laboratory
Service of South Africa; Nigerian Postgraduate Medical
College; Royal College of Pathologists; West African
Division of the International Academy of Pathology; and
Faculty of Laboratory Medicine of the West African
College of Physicians.
Evidence.
—
Information on the status of the practice of
pathology was based on the experience of the participants,
who are current or past practitioners of pathology or are
involved in pathology education and research in Sub-
Saharan Africa.
Consensus Process.
—
The deliberations were carried out
through presentations and working discussion groups.
Conclusions.
—
The significant lack of professional and
technical personnel, inadequate infrastructure, limited
training opportunities, poor funding of pathology services
in Sub-Saharan Africa, and their significant impact on
patient care were noted. The urgency of addressing these
issues was recognized, and the recommendations that
were made are contained in this report.
(Arch Pathol Lab Med.
doi: 10.5858/arpa.2013-0732-CC)
This course is accredited by theAfrican Palliative Care Association, and was developed in partnership with experts from the region, supported by VUCCnet, Cardiff University, the University of Cape Town and several other contributors.
“We hope that these modules will help you to improve your practice and skills, so that patients in Africa and beyond can get good-quality palliative care,” says Dr Emmanuel Luyirika, Executive Director of the African Palliative Care Association.
The twenty modulescoveran essential range of topics; from pain management and specific symptoms, to spiritual care and the grieving process, these modules provide an excellent education on all aspects of palliative care.
The course offers a supportive learning environment, helpful quizzes, learning assessments, and certificates for completing each module. Each module is only an hour long, and can be paused and repeated at any time, allowing for flexible learning. For participants with slower internet connections, ecancer offers a text-based course as well.
Costs, effects and cost-effectiveness of breast cancer control in Ghana.
Zelle SG1, Nyarko KM, Bosu WK, Aikins M, Niëns LM, Lauer JA, Sepulveda CR, Hontelez JA, Baltussen R.
Author information
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Breast cancer control in Ghana is characterised by low awareness, late-stage treatment and poor survival. In settings with severely constrained health resources, there is a need to spend money wisely. To achieve this and to guide policy makers in their selection of interventions, this study systematically compares costs and effects of breast cancer control interventions in Ghana.
METHODS:
We used a mathematical model to estimate costs and health effects of breast cancer interventions in Ghana from the healthcare perspective. Analyses were based on the WHO-CHOICE method, with health effects expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), costs in 2009 US dollars (US$) and cost-effectiveness ratios (CERs) in US$ per DALY averted. Analyses were based on local demographic, epidemiological and economic data, to the extent these data were available.
RESULTS:
Biennial screening by clinical breast examination (CBE) of women aged 40-69 years, in combination with treatment of all stages, seems the most cost-effective intervention (costing $1299 per DALY averted). The intervention is also economically attractive according to international standards on cost-effectiveness. Mass media awareness raising (MAR) is the second best option (costing $1364 per DALY averted). Mammography screening of women of aged 40-69 years (costing $12,908 per DALY averted) cannot be considered cost-effective.
CONCLUSIONS:
Both CBE screening and MAR seem economically attractive interventions. Given the uncertainty about the effectiveness of these interventions, only their phased introduction, carefully monitored and evaluated, is warranted. Moreover, their implementation is only meaningful if the capacity of basic cancer diagnostic, referral and treatment and possibly palliative services is simultaneously improved.