The paper published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention on “Setting Priorities in Childhood Cancer in Low Income Countries Using Nominal Group Technique- Experience from an International Childhood Cancer Forum Exercise in Bangladesh” was discussed in the working group and shared with 154 countries.
According to World Health organization with an estimated of over 3000,000 children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer globally, cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and death in those age group. While the survival rate of many childhood cancers has surpassed 80% in resource-rich countries, in low and middle –income countries (LMICs) where access to quality care is limited, survival rates of 20% or less are expected. An estimated 90% of cases are in LMICs where most systems are not adequately equipped to manage the burden of childhood cancer. Children are dying without diagnosis, treatment and care.
To address this issue WHO has taken a global initiative in childhood cancer in alignment with the WHO Assembly resolution 70.12. Under this initiative WHO has started dialogue with 154 countries to outline the overreaching framework and technical package on childhood cancer that can effectively engage partners and maximize in-country efforts. Five working group with several subgroups are working continuously and sharing experiences of 154 countries. One of the main issue is setting priorities considering scare resources in LMICs.
The paper published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention on “Setting Priorities in Childhood Cancer in Low Income Countries Using Nominal Group Technique- Experience from an International Childhood Cancer Forum Exercise in Bangladesh” was discussed in the working group and shared with 154 countries. Potential partners of the WHO such as World Child Cancer, viewed that the methodology outline in this paper for setting priorities is less expensive and an effective technique to come up priority with a very short time. This method can be used by the LMICs. The Asia Pacific Journal has done a great job by publishing the paper.