19th February 2020
Own Correspondent
The Global HOPE Initiative to fight paediatric cancer which began in Botswana has now been extended to three Sub-Saharan African countries, officials revealed at a gala reception honoring US Congressman Michael Mccaul and Global Hope Representatives.
Within three years, it has treated over 8,000 children and trained over 1,800 health care professionals. This is an impressive record that demonstrates that the plans and methodologies Global HOPE is implementing, are highly effective and can be successful with proper investment and leadership from government, philanthropists and the private sector.
“We are confident that with the help of the Global HOPE Initiative, in partnership with the Government of Botswana, other partners such as the University of Botswana, pharmaceutical foundations, and with the potential support from friends and leaders such as Congressman Mr. Michael McCaul, Botswana has an opportunity to become a major hub for training healthcare personnel and treating children with cancer and blood disorders within the region,” said First Lady Neo Masisi, who is also a Global Hope Council Member, at a gala reception dinner at Grand Palm International Convention Centre(GICC).
She said, “It is a harsh reality that 100,000 children in Sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to develop cancer, every year. Ninety percent (90%) of these children die due to lack of physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals with adequate training to deal with pediatric cancer. Limited healthcare facilities, requisite medical infrastructure, as well as cancer medicines, also contribute towards this sad reality.”
According to officials pediatric cancer related deaths can be avoided. There is no need for any child to die from pediatric cancer. In the United States, for example, nearly 85 percent of children who develop cancer survive. The treatment they receive is often fairly basic and affordable.
Therefore, it is clear to all of us that a solution exists to address the situation, and save the lives of African children. Ms. Keller, a young brave cancer survivor, who was at a gala reception bears testimony to the fact that a solution exits and lives can be saved.
“To that end, I found it imperative to join the Global HOPE International Council, with a commitment to contribute meaningfully towards reversing the high mortality rates from childhood cancer. No family, no community, no nation in this day and age, need to endure the tragedy that befalls them due to pediatric cancer,” said Neo Masisi in official opening remarks.
The first lady stressed importance of visionary leadership and firm commitment as well the need for training healthcare professionals to equip them with the necessary expertise to deal with childhood cancer and related blood diseases. Also emphasized was the need to develop the infrastructure and facilities required for accurate diagnoses and effective treatment of cancer.
The Baylor College of Medicine with the support of Texas Children’s Hospital and Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, have been supporting Botswana’s fight against HIV/AIDS in children for close to twenty years. Together with the support of the United States Government, and direct funding from the Government of Botswana, Baylor-Botswana Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence and others across Africa, treated more than 1 million patients and trained over 52,000 healthcare professionals in Botswana and throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
Global HOPE is expected to leverage on this experience, and expertise, to help Batswana and other countries in sub Saharan Africa to address childhood cancer.
“Global Hope envisage to leverage the existing infrastructure established by Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative(BIPAI) for HIV/AIDS care, which are currently operating in six sub Saharan countries; Botswana, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Lesotho and the Kingdom of eSwatini,” said Dr Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Health and Wellness.
He said, “The pediatric hematology/oncology centres of excellence will serve as foundational, flagship institutions of excellence in clinical care, education, research and healthcare management.”
