GLOBAL CANCER INITIATIVES
16 CANCER CONTROL 2021
The SIOP Global Mapping
Programme: What we are learning
and how it will benefit paediatric
oncology care, support and families
across Africa
Neil Ranasinghe, SIOP Global Health, International Society of Paediatric Oncology, London, UK; Joyce Balagadde
Kambugu, Paediatric Oncology, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda; Lorna Renner, Department of Child
Health, University of Ghana; Kathy Pritchard-Jones, University College London (UCL) and Great Ormond Street
Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Alan Davidson, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology Service, Red Cross War
Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; Maria El Kababri, Department of Pediatric Hematology
and Oncology, Children's Hospital, Rabat, Morocco; Korede Akindele, The Dorcas Cancer Foundation, Lagos,
Nigeria; Eric Bouffet, Paediatric Neuro-Oncology Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Julia Challinor,
School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Laila Hessissen,
Paediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit of Rabat, Mohamed V University, Rabat, Morocco; Jennifer Geel, Division
of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
We present the state of care for children/adolescents with
cancer across Africa and highlight key aspects of treatment
from a parent's perspective. Survey data was collected from
the Global Mapping Programme of the International Society
of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) made possible by support
from the Sanofi Espoir Foundation. While previous surveys
document global disparities in cancer care and resources,
most do not identify available treatment services and
facilities. This Programme data informs paediatric oncology
clinicians, civil society organizations, families and other
stakeholders of available treatment options and support
whilst being mindful of the children/adolescents and families
that we serve.
KOREDE AKINDELE
ALAN DAVIDSON MARIA EL KABABRI
LORNA RENNER
NEIL RANASINGHE KATHY PRITCHARD-JONES
JOYCE BALAGADDE KAMBUGU
ERIC BOUFFET
JENNIFER GEEL
JULIA CHALLINOR LAILA HESSISEN
My daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when she was three years old. She was treated at
four hospitals across London at various stages of her treatment. Fortunately, she has made a full recovery and has just
finished her second year studying physics at university. As a member of the SIOP Global Mapping Programme Core
Team, I have been well aware of published statistics highlighting the differences between care for children across
the globe, and in particular what happens to children in resource-limited settings. However, there are similarities
between her cancer journey and critical support resources that are offered to our family in England and those
available in countries in Africa, and these are highlighted here.
(Neil Ranasinghe, parent of Anne)