Training pediatric hematologist/oncologists for capacity building in Ethiopia.

PURPOSE: A considerable barrier to global pediatric oncology efforts has been the scarcity and even absence of trained professionals in many low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of children with cancer reside. In 2013, no dedicated pediatric hematology-oncology (PHO) programs existed in Ethiopia despite the estimated annual incidence of 6000-12000 cases. The Aslan Project initiative was established to fill this gap in order to improve pediatric cancer care in Ethiopia. A major objective was to increase subspecialty PHO-trained physicians who were committed to practicing locally and empowered to lead programmatic development. METHODS: We designed and implemented a PHO training curriculum to provide a robust educational and clinical experience within the existing resource-constrained environment in Ethiopia. Education relied on visiting PHO faculty, a training attachment abroad, and extraordinary initiative from trainees. RESULTS: Four physicians have completed comprehensive PHO subspecialty training based primarily in Ethiopia, and all have remained local. Former fellows are now leading two PHO centers in Ethiopia with a combined capacity of 64 inpatient beds and over 800 new diagnoses per year; an additional former fellow is developing a pediatric cancer program in Nairobi, Kenya. Two fellows currently are in training. Program leadership, teaching, and advocacy are being transitioned to these physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Despite myriad challenges, a subspecialty PHO training program was successfully implemented in a low-income country. PHO training in Ethiopia is approaching sustainability through human resource development, and is accelerating the growth of dedicated PHO services where none existed 7 years ago.

Effects of omeprazole on iron absorption: preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing numbers of pediatric and adult patients are being treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs are known to inhibit gastric acid secretion. Nonheme iron requires gastric acid for conversion to the ferrous form for absorption. Ninety percent of dietary and 100% of oral iron therapy is in the nonheme form. To the best of our knowledge, the effect of PPIs on iron absorption has not been studied in humans. Our study assessed the relationship between omeprazole therapy and iron absorption in healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 9 healthy volunteers between June 2010 and March 2011. Subjects with chronic illness, anemia, or use of PPI therapy were excluded. Serum iron concentrations were measured 1, 2, and 3 h after the ingestion of iron (control group). The measurements were repeated on a subsequent visit after 4 daily oral administrations of omeprazole at a dose of 40 mg (treatment group). RESULTS: One female and 8 male volunteers were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 33 years. There was no statistical difference detected between baseline, 1-h, 2-h, and 3-h iron levels between control and treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Administration of omeprazole for a short duration does not affect absorption of orally administered iron in healthy individuals. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.

Pediatric Palliative Care Initiative in Cambodia.

Cancer care with curative intent remains difficult to manage in many resource-limited settings such as Cambodia. Cambodia has a small workforce with limited financial and health-care resources resulting in delayed diagnoses and availability of limited therapeutic tools. Thus, palliative care becomes the primary form of care in most cases. Although palliative care is becoming an integral part of medical care in developed countries, this concept remains poorly understood and utilized in developing countries. Angkor Hospital for Children serves a relatively large pediatric population in northern Cambodia. According to the modern definition of palliative care, approximately two-thirds of the patients admitted to the hospital were deemed candidates to receive palliative care. In an effort to develop a pediatric palliative care team utilizing existing resources and intensive training, our focus group recruited already existing teams with different health-care expertise and other motivated members of the hospital. During this process, we have also formed a palliative care training team of local experts to maintain ongoing palliative care education. Feedback from patients and health-care providers confirmed the effectiveness of these efforts. In conclusion, palliative and sustainable care was offered effectively in a resource-limited setting with adequately trained and motivated local providers. In this article, the steps and systems used to overcome challenges in Cambodia are summarized in the hope that our experience urges governmental and non-governmental agencies to support similar initiatives.