All you need to know about the SIOP Global Mapping Survey and why you should complete it
What do we know about childhood cancer services around the world? We know that there is gross inequity – that where you live often determines whether you live. Children with cancer in high-income countries have an 80% chance of being cured, while those in low-income countries may have no chance at all. We speculated about the reasons but we need the data to start crafting the solutions.
The POINTE crew (SIOP PODC Education and Training Working Group) have been slowly but steadily trying to map oncology services in LMICs, and 2018 marked a remarkable confluence of events. It just so happened that Eric Bouffet, President of SIOP, had a vision that he wanted to create a global map of care and facilities for children with cancer. And the World Health Organisation launched its global childhood cancer initiative, with the aim of raising survival rates to 60% in LMICs.
We are running the survey for three main reasons but there are other benefits:
1. Create a baseline that can then be improved upon
2. Lobby for more resources
3. Share knowledge and resources across regions
We want to, and need to save the lives of children with cancer.
Eric got the financial backing of Sanofi Espoir with a My Child Matters Grant. We are starting with Africa as this is the continent with the greatest need, and two of the people instrumental in getting the survey off the ground are paediatric oncologists living and working in Africa. They are Alan Davidson and Jennifer Geel.
In our lifetimes we could see a dramatic improvement in survival rates across Africa, and you could be a vital part of making history.
The survey is available in English, French and Portuguese
· If you know of anyone working in Africa please email them the link and ask them personally to complete it
· Even if you don’t work there now, but have SOME knowledge about a paediatric cancer treatment centres in Africa, please complete the survey
I know we get asked to complete surveys all the time but this one is different, it is really important. Without leaving your comfort zone, you or someone you know, could make a significant difference, merely by completing this survey.
Thank you
Neil Ranasinghe
Jennifer Geel
Co-chairs SIOP PODC Education and Training Working Group
Twitter #MapSIOP
Comments
Post a Comment