Advancing Health Equity in Global Oncology: A Collaborative Academic-Cancer Society-Industry Program to Address Health Disparities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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PURPOSE: Cancer care capacity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is constrained by late diagnosis and limited treatment access. Few funding mechanisms support innovative, locally led programs to address these challenges. A collaborative initiative was developed to strengthen oncology care through quality improvement (QI) projects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The program was developed by Global Bridges Oncology (GBO) at Mayo Clinic, Pfizer Global Medical Grants, and the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer. A committee composed primarily of African oncology experts guided the process. An RFP was disseminated across SSA in English, French, and Portuguese, inviting applications to improve diagnostic and therapeutic cancer care. Applications underwent a structured, two-stage review, with GBO providing technical support, expert guidance, and training resources. RESULTS: The RFP generated 218 applications reflecting strong demand for oncology QI funding in SSA. After review, 17 projects representing 10 African countries were selected and awarded $1.1 million USD. Funded initiatives reflected four themes: oncology training and clinical practice improvements, early detection and accurate diagnostics, pediatric cancer care, and oncology nursing and palliative medicine. As of March 2026, 11 (65%) of 17 projects are complete, with 4,565 health care professionals engaged through direct training, conference dissemination, system adoption, and sensitization activities, and program-supported services were delivered to more than 47,300 patients. CONCLUSION: This initiative demonstrates the feasibility of a competitive, regionally guided grant program to strengthen cancer care capacity. Early implementation outcomes, including measurable improvements in diagnostic delay, treatment adherence, and care network expansion, confirm that locally led QI initiatives can generate meaningful results across diverse institutional settings. By centering African leadership and supporting diverse QI projects, it advances equitable access to funding, capacity building, and sustainability planning.