The Christie works with Kenyan partners to improve cancer outcomes
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, an international centre of excellence for cancer research, education and treatment, is working with the Kenyan Ministry of Health and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), to help improve cancer outcomes in the country.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 20 January 2020 on the eve of the UK-Africa Investment Summit 2020 that took place in London and was followed by a visit to Kenya from representatives from The Christie and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. The summit aims to create new lasting partnerships that will deliver more investment, jobs and growth between the UK and African nations.
Ms Mochache, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Health in Kenya and other representatives visited The Christie in December 2019 for a tour of the internationally acclaimed cancer centre and meetings with key members of staff. They were so impressed with the facilities and approach to international partnerships that they wanted to forge ahead with collaborative working, resulting in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Roger Spencer, Chief Executive of The Christie, Prof Chris Harrison, medical director (strategy) and Prof Richard Cowan, director of The Christie School of Oncology visited Kenya this month to agree a programme of work to be undertaken over the next five years.
Roger Spencer, Chief Executive of The Christie, said: “Following discussions with the Government of Kenya’s Ministry of Health and our visit to KUTRRH, I am delighted that we will be working with our Kenyan partners to develop their oncology services. This support will include access to education and training opportunities, procurement advice, capacity building support and the agreement of clinical protocols and guidelines.”
In recent years, through its international arm, The Christie International, The Christie has supported a wide range of international projects. These include service transformation and supporting the opening of a new radiation oncology centre in Ireland, technical input into oncology procurement to support the development of oncology services across 11 states in India, oncology advice in China for the building, equipping and staffing of new cancer facilities and helping to train doctors from Kazakhstan.
For further information and to find out more about access to education and training opportunities through The Christie International Affiliate Programme, please visit The Christie International website section.