Applications have now closed to join City Cancer Challenge’s (C/Can) global network of cities working to improve access to equitable, quality cancer care. Shortlisted cities will now undergo a transparent and robust due diligence process over the coming months before final selection.
“We have been very impressed by the high quality of city applications and the level of commitment of each and every city that has applied. C/Can will now begin working with applicants to assess whether the C/Can model can add value and help accelerate existing efforts to advance care in the cities”, explains C/Can CEO Susan Henshall, adding “as part of the due diligence process, we will assess city readiness in five key areas: local leadership and political commitment, partnerships, a people-centered approach, an enabling policy environment, and core cancer care pillars.”
During the course of the due diligence process, C/Can will also undertake a comprehensive mapping of local cancer care stakeholders as well as any relevant health system strengthening initiatives that the C/Can process could align with and support.
To support this selection process, C/Can is convening a high-level panel of external experts with on-the-ground experience in candidate cities to share their experience and provide insights.
Among the organisations that will provide representatives for this are Access Accelerated, Amref, Cities Possible, MCM Sanofi Espoir, UCLG, UN-Habitat, and Vital Strategies. Input will also be obtained from the World Health Organization to identify opportunities for collaboration and alignment.
Based on the outcomes of the due diligence process, a series of recommendations will be made to C/Can’s board of directors on the readiness of cities to take up the challenge, as well as those where further due diligence or work on one or more of the key areas of criteria is still required.
“The due diligence process is also an opportunity to enter into an open dialogue with city stakeholders to understand if, how and when the C/Can model can support locally-led efforts to improve cancer care according to the unique context and capacity of each city. This means that announcements around selected cities and the launch of their activities will be made on a rolling basis over the coming months.” explains Rebecca Morton Doherty, Director, Policy and Global Impact at C/Can.
Over the four last years, C/Can has pioneered community-led cancer care solutions from the ground up. Together with its current nine partnering cities around the world, C/Can is identifying gaps in cancer care and responding by working with a wide range of stakeholders from the public and private sectors to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure no one is left behind in accessing the diagnosis, treatment, and care they need.
The selected candidates will join the nine cities where C/Can is pursuing its mission: Cali (Colombia), Asuncion (Paraguay), Yangon (Myanmar), Kumasi (Ghana), Kigali (Rwanda), Porto Alegre (Brazil), Tbilisi (Georgia), Leon (Mexico) and Greater Petaling (Malaysia).
C/Can extends its sincere appreciation to its partners, especially Bristol Myers Squibb and Roche, for their support of the City of Tomorrow social media campaign.
