East African Development Bank Completes Another Medical Training in Cancer Management

By Juliet Hildah N.

The East African Development Bank in partnership with the British Council and the Royal College of Physicians (as the technical partner) yesterday 29^th November, 2017 concluded yet another medical training of selected medical practitioners from different districts in Western Uganda.

The East African Development Bank’s Medical Training and Fellowship Programme (METAF) is an EADB initiative to build capacity in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in the fields of neurology and oncology. EADB’s aim is to train 600 medical professionals within a period of four years, to specialize in the treatment of cancer and neurological disorders. This is because there is less awareness in these areas among doctors which leads to late cancer detection.

EADB’s mission is to promote sustainable social-economic development in East Africa by providing development finance support and advisory services. Through the Medical Training and Fellowship (METAF) Programme, EADB aims to increase capacity towards early detection, research and access to treatment of cancer and neurological disorders by increasing the number, quality and deployment of medical doctors in public service with specialty training in the treatment cancer and neurological disorders of in the East Africa region, especially in communities and areas where access to qualified professionals remains a challenge.

This is the fourth training taking place in Uganda. It follows similar trainings that were held St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya, at the Uganda Cancer Institute, Mulago in 2016 and in Soroti earlier this year. Other trainings have also taken place in Kenya and Tanzania and more trainings are underway.

There has been a recorded increase in the number of cancer patients in the region, and close to 80% of these patients find out when the cancer is in its late stages. Dr. Abrahams Omoding, a Specialist Medical Oncologist with the Uganda Cancer Institute and also one of the programme trainers says that Cancer now kills more people than HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis combined.

According to the 2016 WHO report, cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya (7% of all deaths), with Rwanda at (7%), Tanzania (5%) and Uganda (5%). In Kenya neurological diseases comprise a significant percentage of inpatient hospitalizations.

Although the signs and symptoms of the disease are still not well-known in many communities, there have been tremendous efforts to sensitize people and train medical practitioners in early identification of cancer cases.

The programme continues to focus on early detection, research and treatment of cancer and neurological disorders especially in communities where access to qualified professionals remains a challenge.

“This course is key in down staying late cancer detection. By training the doctors on the most important information on the signs and symptoms of cancer, we shall improve the ability to identify cancers at an early stage.