African Access Initiative

African Access Initiative

“Cancer is real in Africa. There are certain cancers whose incidence has been increasing on the continent, such as cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is preventable, but it affects those of low socioeconomic status. Why? The majority of African patients cannot afford the cost of cancer drugs. BVGH is responding to this challenge by bringing African governments, like Nigeria, and hospitals together with pharmaceutical companies to provide affordable access to life-saving medicines.”

Prof. Tajudeen Olasinde, Professor of Radiation and Clinical Oncology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Nigeria

Driven by Africa – for Africa

The African Access Initiative (AAI) is a public-private partnership that targets the growing cancer crisis in Africa. AAI’s innovative approach engages stakeholders across sectors to accelerate access to cancer treatment. Using data generated at the country-level by African hospitals and governments, AAI’s goals are:

Establish Sustainable Access to Cancer Medicines and Technologies

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Sustainable access to quality, affordable cancer drugs is a universal priority of our partner countries. In partnership with African stakeholders and international pharmaceutical companies, BVGH applies a demand-driven access approach to forecast drug needs, determine and align on budgets, co-develop patient access and payer models, and coordinate procurement of drugs from Port to Patient.

Build Clinical Oncology Capacity

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BVGH develops and implements capacity building programs—led by global cancer experts in both English and French—to empower African professionals to provide high-quality oncology care across the patient pathway, from prevention and screening to diagnosis and treatment. BVGH employs a variety of customized training approaches, including placement of international experts at AAI hospitals, and African professionals at international host organizations (fellowships); digital, in-person, and hybrid seminar series; and digital mentorship and knowledge exchange programs. To date, over 5,000 Anglophone and Francophone healthcare providers from 50 African countries have benefitted from BVGH-coordinated capacity building programs.

Address the Cancer Data Gap in Africa Through Clinical Trials

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The National Comprehensive Cancer Network advises that the best possible method of managing cancer patients is through clinical trials. Despite this guidance, individuals of African descent are dramatically underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. African cancer patients’ enrollment in cancer clinical trials is critical to ensuring that oncology medicines, technologies, and practices are safe and effective against African patients’ unique tumor biologies. BVGH launched the African Consortium for Cancer Clinical Trials (AC³T) under the purview of AAI to empower African investigators to lead innovative, diverse, and inclusive clinical studies.

Expand Awareness of Cancer in Africa

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Africa’s cancer crisis is fueled by lack of public awareness of early cancer signs and symptoms, and how and where to seek care—contributing to late-stage diagnosis and poorer outcomes. BVGH coordinates the development and dissemination of high-quality educational materials for community members, patients, and healthcare providers to help expand health literacy and connect patients to the care that they need.