National approaches to managing cancer care: Responses of countries in the MENA region to COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 pandemic presented serious challenge to oncology care due to the associated risks form infection and from disruption of care delivery. Therefore, many professional societies published recommendations to help manage cancer care during the crisis. The objective of our study was to assess the national responses of MENA countries in terms of publishing relevant guidelines and analyse various components of these guidelines. Methods: A survey based on literature review regarding cancer care adaptation was developed then completed by senior oncologists representing the following countries Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen. The survey queried about instructions of the national recommendations regarding (1) general measures of COVID-19 prevention in oncology, (2) cancer care adaptations during the pandemic. Results: Analysis of the guidelines revealed 31 essential recommendations categorized into seven essential components with specific recommendations for each component. These components are patients’ management, health care workers (HCW) management, facility management, testing for COVID-19, measures to reduce hospital visits, measures to reduce complications, and site-specific recommendations. The table showed compliance of these guidelines with having the required components and relevant recommendations. [Formula presented] Conclusions: There is inconsistency in the components of the guidelines across the region, which may reflect the evolving nature of the pandemic and lack of clear evidence for many issues in question. There is a need from clear framework on essential components to be included in the guidelines to assure providing the best guidance to the oncology community. Editorial acknowledgement On behalf of the International Research Network on COVID-19 Impact on Cancer Care (IRN-CICC). Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure M.A.M.A. AlNassar Research grant/Funding (institution) Roche. A. Jazieh Research grant/Funding (institution) MSD. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.