Building capacity for sustainable research programmes for cancer in Africa

Abstract

Cancer research in Africa will have a pivotal role in cancer control planning in this continent. However, environments (such as those in academic or clinical settings) with limited research infrastructure (laboratories, biorespositories, databases) coupled with inadequate funding and other resources have hampered African scientists from carrying out rigorous research. In September 2012, over 100 scientists with expertise in cancer research in Africa met in London to discuss the challenges in performing high-quality research, and to formulate the next steps for building sustainable, comprehensive and multi-disciplinary programmes relevant to Africa. This was the first meeting among five major organizations: the African Organisation for Research and Training in Africa (AORTIC), the Africa Oxford Cancer Foundation (AfrOx), and the National Cancer Institutes (NCI) of Brazil, France and the USA. This article summarizes the discussions and recommendations of this meeting, including the next steps required to create sustainable and impactful research programmes that will enable evidenced-based cancer control approaches and planning at the local, regional and national levels.

Cancer Nursing Research Output in Africa 2005 to 2014

“…This would influence cancer nursing research, as Africa spends approximately 80% of the limited amount allocated to healthcare on acute communicable diseases, which have also been the overwhelming focus of donors, 9 whereas cancer is not a donor priority. 29 Adewole and colleagues 30 identified the African environment, inadequate research infrastructure, and lack of funding and other resources as barriers to rigorous cancer research in Africa. Klopper and Uys, 31 when describing the state of nursing and nursing education in Africa, highlighted various educational factors that could influence the quality of research including lack of access to higher education (where the search for external funding has become a crucial responsibility), university's challenges in terms of shortage of faculty, lack of development, weak research and innovation capacity, brain drain, and poor facilities and infrastructure.…”

A Systems Orientation to Research Capacity Development: A South African Perspective

“…Many research capacity development programmes are started to build evidence and expertise regarding research in areas of speciality in both the education and the clinical field. These are done to determine and advance research priorities in those speciality fields (Adewole et al 2014;Chu et al 2014;Daniels, Nduati, and Farquhar 2014;Wilkes, Cummings, and McKay 2013). We believe the novice research programme was uniquely positioned to fulfil both these roles.…”

Global Cancer Consortiums: Moving from Consensus to Practice

“…Local stakeholder involvement strengthens local buyin and participation, which is necessary for effective knowledge dissemination, service integration, and program propagation. 33,34 For example, the Medical Education for Services to All Ugandans is a consortium of universities in Uganda formed through the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) as funded by the U.S. president's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. MEPI supports institutions in Africa to develop core educational curricula and training programs through shared priorities with local partners.…”

“…52 Currently, the majority of cancer research and funding in low-resource settings is supported by North American or European institutions. 33 However, nonlocal project leadership risks imbalanced power dynamics related to asymmetric funding or control. 29 The assigning of leadership positions to local physicians and scientists who in turn receive mentorship and guidance from GCC-designated consultants can promote innovative and sustainable programs that remain locally relevant.…”