E. Blair Holladay
Chief Executive Officer, American Society for Clinical Pathology, USA
Title: Cancer Diagnostics in Africa: Leapfrog Technologies to Transform Care
Biography
Biography: E. Blair Holladay
Abstract
Cancer is a bigger problem in developing countries than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is emerging as a leading cause of death in Sub Saharan Africa with a population close to one billion people. Moving cancer treatment to global health settings has been seen as costly, challenging or close to impossible. However, early detection may lead to more affordable and effective cancer treatment so new diagnostics technologies have the potential to help overcome global healthcare disparities for cancer. The solution lies in local physicians having access to a system that ensures rapid, accurate, and reliable pathology for primary diagnosis of cancer. Sub Saharan Africa faces immense challenges in providing adequate coverage and each region, country, and district with unique obstacles to overcome when meeting the health needs of the population.
The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP), in partnership with the Obama White House Office of Science Technology Policy and the Clinton Global Initiative, recently launched a 150 million dollar multi-year initiative which begins with assessment of potential countries with the greatest need--including collaboration and capacity program building with local officials and staff--to deploy full service pathology infrastructure for eligible countries to strategically to meet their population needs. Working in parallel and together, Steering Committees for Diagnostics and Technology, Care and Treatment, In-Country Medical Education, Bioethics, and Monitoring & Evaluation have focused on each potential country to optimize success.
The optimal solution includes the deployment of automated histopathology systems and integrated whole slide imaging systems linked through a customized laboratory information system to a dedicated team of pathologists from the United States. This long-term project will roll out to 20 or more countries in Africa as well as Haiti.