THET announces new project to decentralise breast cancer care in Zambia and Uganda

The Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) is proud to announce the launch of its new project, Breaking Barriers – A Focus on Breast Cancer. The new project will complement all current government efforts and strides towards decentralising breast cancer care in Zambia and Uganda by addressing barriers to accessing timely and quality care.

Funded by Sanofi, THET will work to improve breast cancer outcomes in these countries and develop a model that can be rolled out to other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). 

The project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will focus on developing a standard global training package for breast cancer care, designed specifically for primary and community health workers. THET will collaborate with key institutions in Zambia, and Uganda  to ensure the training package is comprehensive and effective. 

In the second phase, THET will roll out the training across Zambia and Uganda, adapting the content to local contexts and various healthcare cadres. By tailoring the training to the specific needs of each country, THET aims to maximise its impact and ensure sustainable improvements in breast cancer care. 

Muleba Matafwali, Zambia Country Director at THET said: “Breast cancer is a global health issue that disproportionately affects women in low- and middle-income countries. By collaborating with local partners and leveraging the expertise of healthcare professionals in Zambia and Uganda, we aim to create sustainable, context-specific solutions that will improve access to breast cancer care and ultimately save lives.” 

The “Breaking Barriers – A Focus on Breast Cancer“ project will be implemented in Zambia with technical support from the Zambian Ministry of Health and the Cancer Diseases Hospital. In Uganda, the project will be implemented with technical support from the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the Uganda Cancer Institute.  

The interest, collaboration and support for this programme in both Zambia and Uganda highlights the commitment of both Governments to addressing this pressing health issue.