Edinburgh Malawi Cancer Partnership

Overall goals

To achieve and demonstrate improvement in cancer treatment in Malawi through development of increased community awareness, improved multi-disciplinary care, effective mentorship and the production of a sustainable and skilled cancer nursing workforce.

Key UK Colleagues and Partners

NHS Lothian
NHS Fife
The University of Edinburgh (Global Health Academy)

International Partners

Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi Cancer Association of Malawi, The Palliative Care Support Trust, Kamuzu College of Nursing Malawi

Sustainable development goals

• SDG 3 - Good health and well-being
• SDG 4 - Quality education
• SDG 5 - Gender equality
• SDG 17 - Partnerships for the goals

Funding source

Scottish Malawi Development Programme

Project origin

Following a needs assessment visit facilitated by University of Edinburgh 2012.

Evidence of need

A needs assessment indicated the need.

Project areas

Education, Service Improvements, Workforce Developments, Service improvements, Policy.

Project activities

• Development and implementation of a clinical management system.
• Implementation of monthly multi-disciplinary team meetings.
• Introduction of specialist cancer nursing role
• Development and implementation of oncology and palliative care protocols for the treatment of common cancer.

Key successes have been introduction of multi-disciplinary working, completion of chemotherapy training, a National Breast Cancer Symposium, implementation of a clinical data management system, development of standardised protocols, completion of a pathology immunohistochemistry pilot, introduction of a specialist cancer nursing role and development of a sustainable model of oncology nursing education using a distance learning model with Albert Cancer Centre and more recently an online model with De Souza Institute, Toronto.

Changes

We have an ambitious and structured plan to make improvements in each strategic area. The QECH strategic plan for the next five years includes a number of developments for the cancer unit including improved cancer awareness, comprehensive follow up, improved ward facilities, enhanced training and development of radiotherapy.

Next steps

Seeking further funding to extend the partnership to include new partners in specialist cancer care in NHS Scotland and other parts of Malawi, and to extend the reach to support all aspects of cancer diagnosis, treatment and follow-up from early diagnosis right through to effective palliative care.

Challenges

Yes – and we are happy to share these with interested parties.

Mitigating challenges

Centralised advice about purchasing / transport of supplies and equipment could have been helpful.

The reporting paperwork can be onerous and a bit general for ‘health projects’.

Partnership principles

• strategic
• harmonised
• effective
• respectful
• organised
• responsible
• flexible

Project gains

• leadership
• teamwork
• clinical
• awareness
• academic
• patient
• resilience