Open AccessDeveloping a National Cancer Control Plan Through Effective Partnerships: A Case of Kenya National Cancer Control Strategy 2017-2022
Author(s) -
Alfred Karagu,
Anne Ng’ang’a,
Joseph Kibachio,
Peter Gichangi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of global oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.002
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2378-9506
DOI - 10.1200/jgo.18.26900
Subject(s) - stakeholder , medicine , government (linguistics) , action plan , kenya , strategic planning , accountability , context (archaeology) , psychological intervention , public administration , public relations , political science , business , management , nursing , marketing , paleontology , philosophy , linguistics , law , economics , biology
Background and context: A National Cancer Control Strategy (NCCS) provides a strategic framework that guides the systematic approach toward cancer prevention and control based on the existing cancer burden, risk factor prevalence and available resources. Though Kenya developed her first Kenya National Cancer Control Strategy in 2011, its implementation was characterized with various shortcomings. Aim: The Kenyan Ministry of Health set out to develop the second edition of the National Cancer Control Strategy with a focus on greater partnerships, evidence-based interventions and shared accountability of roles informed by lessons learnt from the NCCS 2011-2016. Strategy/Tactics: The Head of the National Cancer Control Program at the Ministry of Health was identified as the National Coordinator to lead the process and keep each stakeholder on track. A clear road map for developing the strategic plan was drawn with specific timelines. The process was further aligned to the Ministry of Health performance contracting system, a mechanism under the Government's public sector reforms aimed at improving performance. Program/Policy process: The Ministry hosted an integrated mission of Program for Action on Cancer Therapy (imPACT) coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency in August 2016 that reviewed the implementation of the NCCS 2011-2016. Following submission of the final imPACT report to the Ministry in November 2016, a steering committee led by the National Coordinator was established in December 2016. An initial one-day stakeholder meeting held in January 2017 developed consensus on the general outline of the document. Two multistakeholder retreats were held between March and April to develop the content for the strategy with an intervening review meeting to further refine the draft which was submitted to a set of 3 external reviewers. A final stakeholder validation meeting was held in May 2017 followed by proofreading and printing of the document. The process culminated with a national launch of the second National Cancer Control Strategy held in July 2017. Outcomes: A National Cancer Control Plan covering the entire continuum of care with interventions around 5 key pillars: prevention, screening and early detection; diagnosis and registration; treatment, palliative care and survivorship; coordination, partnerships and financing; monitoring, evaluation and research. The document was developed and launched in a record 6 months and contains an elaborate implementation matrix with clear indicators. What was learned: It is important to identify a focal person to steer the NCCS development process guided by a clear road map with specific timelines. A well-coordinated multisectoral partnership is crucial to developing such a comprehensive document.