Project Report
| Nov 18, 2014
Improving care for children with cancer in Malawi
By Ed Minor | Operations Assistant at World Child Cancer
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Dear supporters
With your help hundreds of patients have received lifesaving cancer treatment in the last few years. But the increase in the number of patients accessing treatment - a very positive development - must be matched by increased resources. The team needs your help!
Treatment of childhood cancer in Malawi has improved significantly since it began in the 1960s. Last year more than 250 children were diagnosed and put on active treatment. This is due to the increasing reputation of the unit and the hard work of the local team - in large part supported by donors like you.
But many children still do not receive the treatment they need to survive and thrive. There are obstacles to further progress that you can help the service to overcome.
- Personnel: As doctors, nurses and allied health professionals move through their careers, long-term successors must be trained. Dr George Chagaluka is progressing well in his specialist training as a paediatric oncologist - but additional professionals will be essential. Please donate to support the training of healthcare professionals.
- Treatment protocols: Vital improvements have been made to treatment guidelines for the cancers most common to children in Malawi. But many children suffer from conditions for which there are only rudimentary strategies for treatment and care. Please donate to support the improvement of treatment for a wider range of childhood cancers.
- Infrastructure: With positive increases in patient numbers and in treatments available come demands on buildings and equipment. At present, family members - many of whom have travelled many miles to obtain treatment for their loved one - sleep, cook and wash in corridors and beneath outdoor shelters. Please donate to give patients and their families a comfortable environment.
We appreciate your ongoing support; without the support of the global community many children suffering from cancer in Malawi would not stand a chance.
No child should suffer.
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Aug 26, 2014
Improving cancer care for children in Malawi
By Ed Minor | Operations Assistant
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Dear supporters
290 children were treated last year, meaning the project exceeded its original annual target of 250.
The project continues to make excellent progress under the leadership of Professor Molyneux. Below are some of the activities of the last five months.
- Regular twinning support and training for local staff
- Fortnightly clinic pathological meetings held with surgeons, pathologists and radiologists
- Ongoing patient and family support in the unit
- Continuing follow-up visits by a clinical officer on a motorbike
- Planning underway for an outpatient paediatric oncology facility
- Inclusion in the Collaborative Wilms’ Tumour Africa Project, a pan-African programme to combat Wilms’ Tumour
Here are some of our objectives.
- Increase nursing capacity
- Establish an outpatient facility at QECH
- Support patients through drug supplementation, welcome packs and follow-up
- Continue healthcare and community awareness campaigns
- Handover of the QECH unit to a Malawian paediatric oncologist
We appreciate your ongoing support; without the support of the global community many children suffering from cancer in Malawi would not stand a chance.
No child should suffer.
Best wishes
World Child Cancer team
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Jun 2, 2014
Improving cancer care for children in Malawi
By Ed Minor | Operations Assistant
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Dear supporters
290 children were treated last year, meaning the project exceeded its original annual target of 250.
Phase 2 of the Malawi project at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital is now well under way.
The project is making excellent progress under the leadership of Professor Molyneux. Here are some of the activities of the last five months:
- Training for a future Malawian lead in South Africa
- Regular twinning support and training for local staff
- Ongoing patient and family support in the unit
- Continuing follow-up visits by a clinical officer on a motorbike
- Planning underway for an outpatient paediatric oncology facility
- Rapid diagnosis confirmation by email link with the team in Newcastle, UK
There is still so much the team can do to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment and care for children in Malawi. Here are some of our objectives:
- Increase nursing capacity
- Establish an outpatient facility at QECH
- Support patients through drug supplementation, welcome packs and follow-up
- Continue healthcare and community awareness campaigns
- Handover of the QECH unit to a Malawian paediatric oncologist
Thank you for your ongoing support. You are enabling significant improvements to be made to childhood cancer care in Malawi. The project could not continue like this without your support.
Please continue your support so we can help to treat more children in Malawi.
Best wishes
World Child Cancer team
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