Mathiwos Wondu-YeEthiopia Cancer Society

Delegation of four people led by Dr. Aziza Shad, Amey distinguished Professor of Neuro-Oncology and Childhood Cancer,Director,Division of Paediatric Hematology/Oncology,Blood and Marrow Transplantation,Diector,Leukemia Lymphoma Program, Director Cancer Survivorship Program Lombardi Cancer Center,Member of the INCTR Board, President of INCTR, USA and Chair of the Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology who will be responsible for the overall technical, scientific and programmatic aspects of the INCTR Clinical Study Program here in Ethiopia made a four days working visit to Addis Ababa between July 15 to 18,2010.

The International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization founded, in 1998, by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and the Institute Pasteur in Brussels, and supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD. The INCTR, USA is a separately incorporated branch of the INCTR, and it will be the INCTR agency primarily responsible for the implementation of this agreement.  The focus of the INCTR and its branches, including INCTR, USA is to provide the necessary infrastructure for high quality cancer treatment and research in developing countries. The ultimate goal is to increase the survival rates and improve the quality of life in patients with cancer in Asia, Africa and Latin America where, at present, patients do not receive the benefits of recent advances in cancer management. To meet this goal, the INCTR emphasizes long-term collaborations with medical institutions and qualified physicians and investigators in developing countries, including the conduct of clinical trials and laboratory research associated with training and educational programs.

 The INCTR also promotes alliances between cancer centers and hospitals within and between countries in order to ensure that available expertise in resource poor countries is maximally used. In addition, the broad range of knowledge and technology transfer required will be more readily achieved by the formation of alliances and consortia of organizations and institution, as well as through partnerships with the corporate world.  These programs will normally be conducted through the establishment of Collaborating Units in Institutions in developing countries that are participating in INCTR programs.  Further information about the INCTR is available from its web site: www.inctr.org,

INCTR USA, in collaboration with the Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, recently launched an initiative to build capacity to treat childhood cancer in Ethiopia.This collaborative project, led by Dr. Aziza Shad, President, INCTR USA, is a 3-year pilot program to improve pediatric cancer survival rates in Ethiopia. A country with 83 million people, Ethiopia has no trained pediatric oncologists and its cancer survival rates are estimated to be less than 10 %( Craig Lustig, Program Manager, INCTR USA ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

The program seeks to improve pediatric cancer survival rates through the training of health care professionals to deliver protocol-based treatment for children with curable cancers and by ensuring the availability of drugs and equipment necessary for the treatment of these cancers. The program will also include the development of appropriate palliative care and pain management services for pediatric cancer patients.

Mr.Wondu Bekele far left, Mrs. Mary Louise Cohen with Jemila pediatric cancer patient from Afar Region   in the middle, Professor Aziza Shad standing second from right and the rest are members of the delegation.

As a partner, our society, Mathiwos Wondu-YeEthiopia Cancer Society is expected to play, important role in the program ranging from organizing the up-coming symposium on pediatric cancer in Ethiopia in January 18, 2011 to ensuring that families of children being treated for cancer can obtain the psychosocial services they need so desperately. Once the program start being implemented our society will gradually abandon projects intended to support pediatric cancer patients providing medicines and cost of laboratory and treatment and instead concentrates on providing social support (shelter between treatment, nutritional support, transport, immediate needs) and  activities related to enhancing the awareness of society of cancer its prevention early diagnosis and treatment possibilities.

Professor Aziza Shad with Jemila, leukemia patient from Afar Region North East of Ethiopia.

Jemila in between Mr.Wondu and her Mother

 

 

Mr.Wondu with some of pediatric cancer patients and their families covered by Palliative Care Project of MWECS.

 

 

Far left Mrs. Mary Louis Cohen and far right Professor Aziza Shad with Dr.kalid Asrat, Pediatiric Specialist and Mr.Wondu in the middle.