Human resource capacity
Table 2 shows the distribution of human resources for pediatric cancer
in the two hospitals. We enumerated one pediatric hemato-oncologist, one
surgical oncologist, and one medical oncologist in the surveyed
hospitals. However, there were pediatric residents working in the
hemato-oncology unit of MCC/CBF whom we did not include as specialists,
given their schedule at the unit. In addition, the Groupe Franco
Africain d’Oncologie Pédiatrique (GFAOP) offers an 18-month training
course in paediatric oncology. At the time of the assessment, one of the
current residents had completed this paediatric oncology course.
Therefore, there were three pediatric oncologists for an expected 1552
incident cases of childhood cancers annually. Furthermore, about 40%
(18/45) of staff involved in pediatric oncology have received specialty
training in pediatric oncology. All surveyed hospitals had psychosocial
support personnel, including chaplains, teachers, trained nurses, and
volunteer staff who supported the clinicians to provide psychotherapy to
patients and their families.
Table 2: Distribution of
human resources involved in pediatric cancer care in two pediatric
cancer hospitals in Cameroon