The current status of National Cancer Control Plans in Africa: Data from 32 countries.

BACKGROUND: Cancer incidence and mortality are rapidly rising in Africa. National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs have contributed to a reduction in the burden of some preventable cancers, availing early diagnosis and adequate treatment modalities and palliative care, while sustaining them with sufficient monitoring systems. knowledge we undertook a cross-sectional survey across continental Africa to understand the presence of NCCPs, availability of early detection and screening policies and the status of health financing pertaining to cancer. METHODS: Through an online survey, we approached key cancer care staff in 54 countries. Questions were themed in 3 main areas - Cancer registries and national cancer control plans (NCCPs) availability in countries, Cancer screening, diagnosis and management capacity, Financing in cancer care. RESULTS: On 54 approached respondents, we received 32 responses. 88 % of responding countries have active national cancer registries, 75 % with NCCPs and 47 % with cancer screening policies and practices. Universal Health Coverage is available in 40 % of countries. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that there is a scarcity of NCCPs in Africa. Deliberate investment in cancer registry and clinical services is key to improving access to care and ultimately reduce cancer mortality in Africa.

Seasonality and surgical management of intussusception over 10 years at Harare Children's Hospital.

Objectives: To determine the number of patients with intussusception treated at HCH over a 10 year period. To describe the ages and sex of children operated for intussusceptions. To determine if there is seasonal variation in the number of cases presenting to HCH. To determine the type and method of treatment of intussusception at HCH. Design: This was a descriptive retrospective study. Theatre records were inspected to identify eligible patients. Information regarding sex, age, anatomical subtype and procedure performed was recorded. Setting: Harare Central Hospital, Zimbabwe. Subjects: Two hundred and seventeen (217) participants were enrolled. All patients who underwent surgery for intussusception between September 2003 and August 2013 were eligible. One re-operation was excluded. Results: There were 129 boys and 83 girls. The modal age was 6 months. 61.3% of patients had ileo-colic intussusception, 4.1% colo-colic and 0.5% ileo-ileal. The peak incidence was in September. There was an increase in annual cases in the period under review from 9 cases in 2003/2004 to 34 cases in the 2012/2013 period. 47.5%of patients had resection and primary anastomosis while 24.0% had manual reduction at laparotomy. Conclusion: Intussusception is one of the most common paediatric surgical emergencies at Harare Central Hospital. The age and sex of patients are the same as those found in literature. In contrast with previous data, a strong statistically significant seasonal incidence was observed. The majority of cases were ileo-colic. The most common procedure at laparotomy was resection as opposed to manual reduction.