Gynecologic cancers are the most common malignancies in Rwanda – and the deadliest. Over 1,300 Rwandan women develop cervical cancer each year, with 71% of those women dying from the disease. Yet like many low- and middle-income countries, Rwanda does not have subspecialized gynecologic-oncologists in-country. Instead the burden of care for cervical, uterine, and breast cancer patients falls upon the country’s obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs). OB-GYNs specialize in the medical and surgical management of women’s reproductive health, but do not have specialized training or knowledge in gynecologic cancers.
In response to Rwanda’s urgent gynecology-oncology needs and in close partnership with leaders at the University of Rwanda, the Rwanda Biomedical Center, and the Rwandan Society of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (RSOG), BVGH developed and led a seven-week virtual training course on the management of Rwanda’s most prevalent gynecologic cancers. Convening six experts from Botswana, Canada, Rwanda, and the USA, the program attracted and trained 44 Rwandan gynecologists representing all levels of Rwanda’s health system, including tertiary referral hospitals, district and provincial hospitals, private clinics, and students enrolled in the University of Rwanda’s resident programs. Each week, participants attended live video lectures covering the most prevalent gynecologic malignancies in Rwanda, including cervical, vulva, ovarian, and endometrial cancers as well as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. The lecturers also explored the role of Rwandan OB-GYNs in the diagnosis, treatment, and referral of gynecologic cancer patients and provided up-to-date information on current gynecology-oncology practices.
Rwanda’s gynecologists overwhelmingly recognized the value of the materials taught and planned to apply the content and learnings to their daily work. Colonel, Dr. Eugene Ngoga, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist at RSOG, further emphasized how training programs like these are essential to addressing the training gaps in gynecologic oncology in Rwanda:
“The number of women who are dying from this preventable cancer – which is also potentially curable when diagnosed early – is unacceptable. RSOG values the international transfer of knowledge and skills. Proper management of cervical cancer requires significant technical experience and training combined with consistent exposure and mentorship by experts. This training program is a key step along our continuous process of improvement to ensure that our patients get the best care possible.”
While the training program strengthened Rwandan OB-GYNs’ confidence in and capacity to manage the general needs of gynecologic cancer patients, specialists who are qualified to lead the care of women with gynecologic cancers throughout the entire treatment pathway are essential. In response, BVGH partnered with the Rwanda Ministry of Health and the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) to establish a gynecologic oncology fellowship program at the University of Rwanda. The two-year fellowship program consists of hands-on training led by two IGCS Global Curriculum Mentorship and Training Program graduates from Ethiopia coupled with training rotations at three US-based cancer centers – Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Women & Children’s Hospital of Rhode Island. With sustainability in mind, the Ethiopian trainers and IGCS faculty members have committed to providing ongoing professional knowledge exchange opportunities and consultations on challenging gynecologic cancer cases for the fellowship program trainees.
Click here to read more about the training program in the International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer.
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