Asociación de Hemato-Oncología Pediátrica de Centro América (AHOPCA): A model for sustainable development in pediatric oncology
- 18 October 2013
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Wiley in Pediatric Blood & Cancer
- Vol. 61 (2), 345-354
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.24802
Abstract
Bridging the survival gap for children with cancer, between those (the great majority) in low and middle income countries (LMIC) and their economically advantaged counterparts, is a challenge that has been addressed by twinning institutions in high income countries with centers in LMIC. The long‐established partnership between a Central American consortium—Asociación de Hemato‐Oncología Pediátrica de Centro América (AHOPCA)—and institutions in Europe and North America provides a striking example of such a twinning program. The demonstrable success of this endeavor offers a model for improving the health outcomes of children with cancer worldwide. As this remarkable enterprise celebrates its 15th anniversary, it is appropriate to reflect on its origin, subsequent growth and development, and the lessons it provides for others embarking on or already engaged in similar journeys. Many challenges have been encountered and not all yet overcome. Commitment to the endeavor, collaboration in its achievements and determination to overcome obstacles collectively are the hallmarks that stamp AHOPCA as a particularly successful partnership in advancing pediatric oncology in the developing world. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:345–354.Keywords
This publication has 57 references indexed in Scilit:
- Sustaining innovation and improvement in the treatment of childhood cancer: lessons from high-income countriesThe Lancet Oncology, 2013
- Paediatric cancer in low-income and middle-income countriesThe Lancet Oncology, 2013
- Collaborating to Conquer Cancer: Lessons From Our ChildrenJournal of Clinical Oncology, 2013
- Global burden of cancer in 2008: a systematic analysis of disability-adjusted life-years in 12 world regionsThe Lancet, 2012
- Population survival from childhood cancer in Britain during 1978–2005 by eras of entry to clinical trialsAnnals Of Oncology, 2012
- Looking beyond Translation — Integrating Clinical Research with Medical PracticeNew England Journal of Medicine, 2012
- Baseline status of paediatric oncology care in ten low-income or mid-income countries receiving My Child Matters support: a descriptive studyThe Lancet Oncology, 2008
- Improving outcomes for children with cancer in low‐income countries in Latin America: A report on the recent meetings of the Monza International School of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (MISPHO)‐Part IPediatric Blood & Cancer, 2007
- Margarita statement, Sociedad Latinoamericana de Oncologia Pediátrica (SLAOP): Latin American Society of Pediatric OncologyMedical and Pediatric Oncology, 2001
- North-South twinning in paediatric haemato-oncology: the La Mascota programme, NicaraguaThe Lancet, 1998