AstraZeneca announced this week that it is extending its Phakamisa Initiative to enhance health
outcomes for patients in South Africa through public and private collaborations with various healthcare stakeholders.
Collaboration between the community, civil society, government and private sectors will concentrate on improving the management of breast and prostate
cancer in the public sector, with a particular focus on early disease identification, promotion of primary prevention and access to treatment.
South Africa’s rising health issues
are breast and prostate cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, apart from non-melanoma
skin cancer, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 26 in South Africa.
On average, every day, five South African men die from prostate cancer,
and more than 4,300 newly diagnosed South African men each year with prostate cancer.
In South Africa, the burden of cancer is exacerbated by socio-economic obstacles, including a lack
of knowledge of breast and prostate health problems, cultural barriers and inadequate access to health facilities.
Furthermore, several patients avoid
seeking treatment for symptoms.
This has hampered efforts among lower-income communities, particularly those
in the historically disadvantaged population, to combat the disease.
AstraZeneca reacted to this need in December 2010
and announced the start of the Phakamisa programme.
Implemented in 2011, the initiative brings together numerous organizations to help reduce
the burden of non-communicable diseases on the public health system of South Africa.
Dr. Thulo Molefi, Specialist and Senior Lecturer, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Pretoria, Steve Biko Academic
Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa, reiterates the importance of recognition and early detection in the successful management of cancer:
In South Africa, the burden of cancer is exacerbated by socio-economic obstacles, including a lack
of knowledge of breast and prostate health problems, cultural barriers and inadequate access to health facilities.
Furthermore, several patients avoid
seeking treatment for symptoms.
This has hampered efforts among lower-income communities, particularly those
in the historically disadvantaged population, to combat the disease.
AstraZeneca reacted to this need in December 2010
and announced the start of the Phakamisa programme.
Implemented in 2011, the initiative brings together numerous organizations to help reduce
the burden of non-communicable diseases on the public health system of South Africa.
Dr. Thulo Molefi, Specialist and Senior Lecturer, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Pretoria, Steve Biko Academic
Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa, reiterates the importance of recognition and early detection in the successful management of cancer: “Cancer should be a communal conversation; its existence, diagnosis and treatment must not be limited to the urban cancer treatment centres; the treatment of this lethal disease might require expert knowledge but its awareness and screening does not. In a journey of a million miles, AstraZeneca’s Phakamisa initiative, in trying to increase cancer awareness, facilitate early diagnosis and fast-track pathways to treatment, is a step in the right direction.”
Commenting on the Phakamisa’s expansion and 10-year milestone, Ruth Field, AstraZeneca’s Market Access Director and Phakamisa Executive Champion said: “The Phakamisa Programme is part of AstraZeneca’s Sustainability strategy to drive access to healthcare, and is focused on ‘uplifting’ care and improving treatment outcomes. We are passionate about empowering people with knowledge and the ability to make informed decisions regarding their health. After 10 years of implementation, the programme has reached over 1,63 million people through outreach activities led by community healthcare workers, with 19,700 women identified with breast issues. We now look forward to expanding our reach through our partnerships, ensuring that we support all levels of care and the communities they serve.”
Phakamisa, which means ‘to uplift’ in Zulu, is delivered through a three-pillared approach spanning Training, Awareness
and Access, with a current focus on improving breast and prostate cancer management in the public sector.
SOURCE: NNN
