The Global Coalition for Radiotherapy (GCR) had the privilege of participating in the 19-20 July 2023 Workshop Series on Enhancing Access to Nuclear Medicine in West Africa, hosted by the U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation (CRDF Global) in Accra, Ghana. The gathering was attended by West African leaders in science, medicine, and government, as well as other visiting partners, including GCR member Dr. Adesi Kofi Kyei and GCR Resident Partner, John Peterson.
Prior to the formal start of the conference the GCR visited the public Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra to learn from the faculty. The staff explained their workflow and provided a tour of their treatment facilities. They also discussed the challenges they face procuring and maintaining equipment and retaining trainees after graduation, many of whom are lured to the Global North by larger salaries and more abundant resources.
“GCR is dedicated to expanding access to radiotherapy worldwide so having the opportunity to be on the ground with local radiotherapists, learning from their challenges and innovations, was exciting and gave me great hope for the future of cancer treatment in the region,” Peterson said.
Presentations highlighted various opportunities and innovations for expanding access to radiotherapy in Africa, including successful collaboration with the IAEA in creating national cancer control plans. The final day focused on brainstorming action plans to address obstacles to care. Collaboration among stakeholders, public-private partnerships, and international support were identified as key to overcoming challenges and enhancing cancer care in Africa.
Dr. Kyei explained that “participating in the CRDF was an eye-opener to many more issues confronting the sub-regions of Africa, and having to know the pathway to traverse in ensuring the right approach to solving most of these.”
Following the conference, Peterson and Dr. Kyei met with professionals at the Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre in Kumasi. Through each of these events, GCR learned how they could play a supportive role in facilitating education, mobilizing resources, and supporting capacity-building efforts to enhance radiotherapy services in Africa.
Dr. Kyei concluded, “There is a clear path and a brighter future in accessing nuclear medicine although the barriers within West Africa will need urgent steps to curb it. I want to be part of the pioneers in addressing these solutions with GCR as the front-liner.”
CRDF GLOBAL WEBINAR
Thursday, 24 August 2023 | 11:00 - 13:00 GMT | via Zoom
CRDF Global will host a final follow-up webinar in their Sustained Dialogue on Peaceful Uses Workshop Series on Thursday, 24 August 2023 from 07:00 – 09:00 EDT/11:00 – 13:00 GMT/21:00 – 23:00 AEST. Join the "Recommendations and Future Actions on Enhancing Access to Radiation Medicine in West Africa" discussion by clicking the zoom link below at the appropriate time:
Meeting ID: 981 7281 6479
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