scholarly journals Fostering Scientific Collaborations for Cancer Research Between High and Low/Middle Income Countries Through International Partnerships

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 234s-234s
Author(s):  
F. Santos

Background: Much remains to be learned about the causes of several major cancers. Implementing and sustaining global initiatives aimed to advance cancer research requires concerted efforts among government agencies, the industry and philanthropic institutions. Aiming to tackle this challenge, in 2015 the Azrieli Foundation, Canada's International Development Research Centre, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Israel Science Foundation launched the Joint Canada-Israel Health Research Program (JCIHRP), a 7-year CA$35 million partnership that draws on the scientific strengths of Canadian, Israeli and low and middle income countries (LMICs) researchers in the broad field of biomedicine. Aim: JCIHRP aims to advance research and discovery in the biomedical sciences; encourage scientific collaboration between Canadian and Israeli researchers; and build capacity and foster scientific relations and collaborations with researchers and trainees in LMICs. Methods: JCIHRP will fund up to 30 research projects from 2015 to 2022 in diverse areas of the biomedical sciences (neurosciences, immunology, cancer and metabolism). So far, the program is supporting 9 projects in cancer research. Teams are led by a Canadian and Israeli principal investigators and a collaborator from a LMIC. Three years is the maximum duration of each grant and teams can request up to CA$1.17 million. The program launches 1 competition each year and activities are coordinated by a directors working group, which is responsible for program implementation and coordination among the agencies. Annual implementation timeline can be divided into 4 phases: competition development and application; proposals' eligibility, selection and decision; research phase; and reporting and monitoring. In deploying these phases, the funding partners have shared effort and costs. Results: Among cancer research projects, 4 teams are developing strategies to improve effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. Five other teams use advanced genomics and protein engineering techniques to elucidate molecular mechanisms associated with tumor development, progression and resistance to therapy in pancreatic, breast, hepatic and brain cancer. These projects are supporting 26 established researchers in 7 Canadian, 6 Israeli and 9 institutions based in Brazil, Mexico, China, India, Argentina and Turkey. Additionally, 19 graduate students and 9 postdoctoral fellows are directly involved in research activities. Type of collaboration can be grouped into 2 categories: research and training (5 projects) and research, training and exchange (4 projects). Conclusion: JCIHRP multicentre funding model allows international integration of researchers promoting scientific advances, new collaborations and enhancing teams' overall competitiveness by prioritizing research topics with potential for global impact in cancer research.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10526-10526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divyanshi Jalan ◽  
Fidel Rubagumya ◽  
Wilma M. Hopman ◽  
Verna D. Vanderpuye ◽  
Gilberto Lopes ◽  
...  

10526 Background: While several studies have highlighted the global shortages of oncologists and their workload, few have studied the characteristics of current oncology training. Methods: An online survey was distributed through a snowball method via national oncology societies and a pre-existing network of contacts to cancer care providing physicians in 57 countries. Countries were classified into low- or lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), and high-income countries (HICs) based on World Bank criteria. Results: 273 physicians who trained in 57 different countries responded to the survey; 33% (90/273), 32% (87/273), and 35% (96/273) in LMICs, UMICs and HICs respectively. 60% of respondents were practicing physicians and 40% were in training. The proportion of trainees was higher in LMICs (51%; 45/89) and UMICs (42%; 37/84), than HICs (19%; 28/96; P = 0.013). A higher proportion of respondents from LMICs (37%; 27/73) self-fund their core oncology training compared to UMICs (13%; 10/77) and HICs (11%; 10/89; P < 0.001). Respondents from HICs were more likely to complete an accepted abstract, poster and publication from their research activities compared to respondents from UMICs and LMICs (abstract: 37/72 (51%) from HICs, 18/66 (27%) from UMICs, 24/65 (37%) from LMICs, P = 0.014; poster: (42/72 (58%) from HICs, 28/66 (42%) from UMICs, 13/65 (20%) from LMICs, P < 0.001; publication: 43/72 (60%) from HICs, 32/66 (49%) from UMICs, 24/65 (37%) from LMICs, P = 0.029). Respondents identified several barriers to effective training including skewed service to education ratio and burnout. With regards to preparedness for practice, mean scores on a 5-point Likert scale were low for professional tasks like supervision and mentoring of trainees, leadership and effective management of an oncology practice, and understanding of healthcare systems irrespective of country grouping. Conclusions: Investment in training by the public sector would be vital to decreasing the prevalence of self-funding in LMIC. Gaps in research training and enhancement of competencies in research dissemination in LMIC require attention. Instruction on cancer care systems and leadership need to be incorporated in training curricula in both LMICs and HICs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 38s-38s
Author(s):  
Amanda L. Vogel ◽  
Shannon L. Silkensen ◽  
Catherine Hidalgo

Abstract 45 Background: The National Cancer Institute Cancer Centers Program is one of the anchors of the US cancer research effort. The National Cancer Institute’s Center for Global Health (CGH) has supported several initiatives that leverage this national resource to advance cancer research and related activities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In 2013, CGH awarded 1-year contracts to 15 cancer centers and partner institutions in LMICs to advance cancer research capacity in LMICs through research, training, and capacity building in a range of areas, including informatics, data sharing, and biorepositories. In 2015, CGH awarded 2-year administrative grant supplements to 10 cancer centers and partner institutions in LMICs to support cancer prevention and control research. Domains included clinical and translational research, detection and diagnosis, surveillance and registries, knowledge sharing, implementation science, informatics and mHealth, and malignancies associated with HIV and chronic infection. The aim of this work was to assess the outcomes and impacts of these investments, including scientific progress, capacity development for cancer research and related activities in LMICs, and capacity development for future partnerships among cancer centers and LMIC institutions, as well as to reflect on how initiative characteristics, such as scope and mechanism, influence outcomes and impacts. Methods: We performed qualitative content analysis of progress reports and final reports. Results: Findings highlight the outcomes and impacts of these investments in partnerships among cancer centers and LMIC institutions, and shed light on the influence of funding initiative characteristics. Conclusion: Findings reflect the value of these investments to advance cancer research and related activities in LMICs, and help to inform future CGH engagement with cancer centers. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No COIs from the authors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1367-1373
Author(s):  
Nikhil Sanjay Mujbaile ◽  
Smita Damke

The Covid illness (COVID-19) pandemic has spread rapidly all through the world and has had a drawn-out impact. The Pandemic has done incredible damage to society and made genuine mental injury to numerous individuals. Mental emergencies frequently cause youngsters to deliver sentiments of relinquishment, despondency, insufficiency, and fatigue and even raise the danger of self-destruction. Youngsters with psychological instabilities are particularly powerless during the isolate and colonial removing period. Convenient and proper assurances are expected to forestall the event of mental and social issues. The rising advanced applications and wellbeing administrations, for example, telehealth, web-based media, versatile wellbeing, and far off intuitive online instruction can connect the social separation and backing mental and conduct wellbeing for youngsters. Because of the mental advancement qualities of youngsters, this investigation additionally outlines intercessions on the mental effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Further difficulties in Low Middle-Income Countries incorporate the failure to actualize successful general wellbeing estimates, for example, social separating, hand cleanliness, definitive distinguishing proof of contaminated individuals with self-disconnection and widespread utilization of covers The aberrant impacts of the Pandemic on youngster wellbeing are of extensive concern, including expanding neediness levels, upset tutoring, absence of admittance to the class taking care of plans, decreased admittance to wellbeing offices and breaks in inoculation and other kid wellbeing programs. Kept tutoring is critical for kids in Low Middle-Income Countries. Arrangement of safe situations is mainly testing in packed asset obliged schools. 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larrey Kamabu ◽  
Hervé Monka Lekuya ◽  
Bienvenu Muhindo Kasusula ◽  
Nicole Kavugho Mutimani ◽  
Louange Maha Kathaka ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 004947552098277
Author(s):  
Madhu Kharel ◽  
Alpha Pokharel ◽  
Krishna P Sapkota ◽  
Prasant V Shahi ◽  
Pratisha Shakya ◽  
...  

Evidence-based decision-making is less common in low- and middle-income countries where the research capacity remains low. Nepal, a lower-middle-income country in Asia, is not an exception. We conducted a rapid review to identify the trend of health research in Nepal and found more than seven-fold increase in the number of published health-related articles between 2000 and 2018. The proportion of articles with Nepalese researchers as the first authors has also risen over the years, though they are still only in two-thirds of the articles in 2018.


Author(s):  
Shirley Lewis ◽  
Lavanya Gurram ◽  
Umesh Velu ◽  
Krishna Sharan

Abstract Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has significantly challenged the access to cancer care and follow-up for a patient with cancer. Methods: Based on published literature and our experiences, it is reasonable to presume that clinical examination and follow-up visits have been significantly curtailed worldwide in order to adhere to the new norms during the pandemic. Although telephonic and telemedicine consultations may help bridge a few gaps, completely dispensing with in-person consultation has its challenges, especially in low middle-income countries. Telephonic consultations could facilitate triaging of ambulatory cancer patients and allocation of face-to-face consultations for high priority patients. Conclusions: We propose a telephonic consultation-based triaging approach for ambulatory cancer patients in order to identify those needing in-hospital consultations.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e045005
Author(s):  
Fadia Gamieldien ◽  
Roshan Galvaan ◽  
Bronwyn Myers ◽  
Zarina Syed ◽  
Katherine Sorsdahl

ObjectiveTo examine the literature on how recovery of people with severe mental illness (SMI) is conceptualised in low/middle-income countries (LMICs), and in particular what factors are thought to facilitate recovery.DesignScoping review.Data sources and eligibilityWe searched 14 electronic databases, hand searched citations and consulted with experts during the period May–December 2019. Eligible studies were independently screened for inclusion and exclusion by two reviewers. Unresolved discrepancies were referred to a third reviewer.Data extraction and synthesisAll bibliographical data and study characteristics were extracted using a data charting form. Selected studies were analysed through a thematic analysis emerging from extracted data.ResultsThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram offers a summary of the results: 4201 titles, 1530 abstracts and 109 full-text articles were screened. Ten articles were selected for inclusion: two from Turkey, two from India, and one each from China, Swaziland, Indonesia, Egypt, South Africa and Vietnam. Although most studies used qualitative methods, data collection and sampling methods were heterogeneous. One study reported on service provider perspectives while the rest provided perspectives from a combination of service users and caregivers. Three themes emerged from the data analysis. First, studies frame recovery as a personal journey occurring along a continuum. Second, there was an emphasis on social relationships as a facilitator of recovery. Third, spirituality emerged as both a facilitator and an indicator of recovery. These themes were not mutually exclusive and some overlap exists.ConclusionAlthough there were commonalities with how high-income countries describe recovery, we also found differences in conceptualisation. These differences in how recovery was understood reflect the importance of framing the personal recovery concept in relation to local needs and contextual issues found in LMICs. This review highlighted the current sparse evidence base and the need to better understand recovery from SMI in LMICs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000976
Author(s):  
Ayanda Gina ◽  
Nadja F Bednarczuk ◽  
Asitha Jayawardena ◽  
Peter Rea ◽  
Qadeer Arshad ◽  
...  

Hearing screening for newborn babies is an established protocol in many high-income countries. Implementing such screening has yielded significant socioeconomic advantages at both an individual and societal level. This has yet to permeate low/middle-income countries (LMIC). Here, we illustrate how newborn hearing screening needs to be contextually adapted for effective utilisation and implementation in an LMIC. Specifically, this advocates the use of auditory brainstem testing as the first-line approach. We propose that such adaptation serves to maximise clinical efficacy and community participation at a reduced cost.


Author(s):  
Phoebe Ivain ◽  
Paolo Montaldo ◽  
Aamir Khan ◽  
Ramyia Elagovan ◽  
Constance Burgod ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective We examined whether erythropoietin monotherapy improves neurodevelopmental outcomes in near-term and term infants with neonatal encephalopathy (NE) in low-middle income countries (LMICs). Methods We searched Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify studies that used erythropoietin (1500–12,500 units/kg/dose) or a derivative to treat NE. Results Five studies, with a total of 348 infants in LMICs, were retrieved. However, only three of the five studies met the primary outcome of death or neuro-disability at 18 months of age or later. Erythropoietin reduced the risk of death (during the neonatal period and at follow-up) or neuro-disability at 18 months or later (p < 0.05). Death or neuro-disability occurred in 27.6% of the erythropoietin group and 49.7% of the comparison group (risk ratio 0.56 (95% CI: 0.42–0.75)). Conclusion The pooled data suggest that erythropoietin monotherapy may improve outcomes after NE in LMICs where therapeutic hypothermia is not available.


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