Human resources development is a key priority across all City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) projects. Many cities have lacked adequate numbers of trained cancer care specialists, and this problem has hindered the provision of quality, equitable cancer care.
To extend the benefits of City Cancer Challenge’s (C/Can) partnership with the Institute of Palliative Medicine in Kerala, India, a WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Participation in Palliative Care and Long-term Care, to provide support for technical cooperation and capacity-building efforts in C/Can cities.
In 2021, the Institute of Palliative Medicine organised the Fellowship in Palliative Care 2021, a distance education programme with contact sessions based on principles of adult learning, and invited C/Can cities to join.
C/Can opened this opportunity to three cities: Yangon (Myanmar), Kumasi (Ghana) and Kigali (Rwanda). In each of these cities, palliative care had been prioritised as a city project by the City Executive Committee, and a dedicated project team had been established to lead the execution of the palliative care project.
The course was delivered as distance education for 140 hours (60 hours for virtual classroom and 80 hours for self-learning) from February to July 2021, with contact sessions, mentorship, assignments and evaluations. The participants were evaluated through a written examination and completion of assignments.
Eight of the 11 applicants successfully completed the fellowship programme (three participants from Yangon could not participate in the second half because of internet connectivity issues, however the Institute of Palliative Medicine will provide the opportunity to participate in the next intake without additional payments).
Training delivered to 11 successful applicants (of 13 total candidates) from Yangon, Kumasi and Kigali.
Working with City Cancer Challenge in Kumasi and Kigali gave us an opportunity to partner with the teams towards realising palliative care ideals. The visit by the team from Kumasi was another highlight that inspired the team to create better cancer care plans and achievements. It is a truly beautiful palliative care journey.
To contribute to the organisation’s gender equity strategy, C/Can has put together a working group to generate recommendations on how to build gender-responsive health systems.
Providing seed funding to support researchers in C/Can’s network of cities, who are investigating health system research projects through an implementation science lens.
Improving diagnostics, treatment and drug delivery processes in the Paraguayan health system for HER2-positive positive breast cancer patients, and strengthening information systems in selected public hospitals. This is to support the avoidance of misdiagnosis and support the delivery of the appropriate cancer drug at an optimal time for patients.
Providing health authorities in Tbilisi with a budget impact analysis of including cancer diagnostics as part of the country’s Universal Healthcare Programme (UHC)
Foster the development of a global coalition for cancer diagnostics
Discussion series on strengthening a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care and developing patient management guidelines
Enablement of knowledge-transfer among cancer care professionals to channel connected health and embed global perspectives into local solutions.
Palliative care training for cancer care professionals in Yangon, Kumasi and Kigali
Fostering an innovation mindset and power skills to drive change
Closing gender disparities in the healthcare sector and enhancing the capacity of women oncologists to lead change
Developing a syllabus to provide training in the management of childhood cancers for primary health care professionals.
An online knowledge-transfer programme will enhance cities’ capacity to exchange experiences and consultation opportunities.
This website uses its own and third-party cookies to improve the browsing experience. Read the Cookies Policy.
