The Uganda Cancer Institute is set to host the SIOP Africa Congress from16th – 18th March 2022 at the Serena Kampala- Hotel.
Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide with over 70% of this occurring in Low and Medium Income Countries such as those in Africa including Uganda as of 2018. It is in this vein that the Uganda Cancer Institute and SIOP Africa will host the 14th SIOP Africa Congress.
Themed “Innovate for Africa”, the Congress will be held in a hybrid manner; that is, it’ll physically be happening at the Kampala Serena Hotel and online (both physically and virtually) from the 16th – 18th March, 2022.
The congress will see doctors, nurses and medical experts from all over Africa and beyond share their different ways on how to manage cancer in children and more so during the period of a pandemic.
The it will also encompass all persons involved in the fight against childhood cancer. From health workers, survivors, parents, friend of a survivor, to mere well-wishers, everyone has a role to play in improving childhood cancer care. It is important to note that children with cancers in Africa have survival rates as low as 20%. Which can be attributed to several reasons such as delayed diagnosis, lack of diagnosis, obstacles to accessing care, treatment abandonment, toxic death, and disease relapse among others. One really important concern is that protocols and guidelines prescribed in higher-income countries are often not feasible in many parts of Africa due to resource constraints.
With over 250 registered members, SIOP Africa which also happens to be is the biggest society of health workers who look after children with Cancer in Africa will provide a platform to share these efforts and work together collectively henceforth; as per its mandate to improve and disseminate knowledge of childhood malignant diseases, and their management, in African countries.
SIOP (International Society of Paediatric Oncology has a vision that no child should die of cancer and that cure can be achieved with no or minimal late effects. In attaining this vision, efforts are made in advancement of basic research as well as clinical studies, the inclusion of nurses, other health professionals and parents, and the organization of teaching and outreach programs to better the lot of children in underdeveloped nations and societies.
One of these efforts being the SIOP congress. Book your slot/ ticket for the 14th SIOP Congress here.
