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.
AAI Impact*
26,000+
Individuals Trained
4000+
Patients Accessing Cancer Drugs
4100+
Participating Hospitals
Discover How We Partner With 8 African Countries
AAI Across Africa
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Specialized training in pediatric oncology is limited in much of Africa, particularly for complex cancers. To help address this gap in training, BVGH partnered with SIOP Africa to deliver aContinue reading “Improving Pediatric Oncology Across Africa” - Showcasing Valuable Insights for Pathologists
Cytology and pathology are essential to the diagnosis of cancer – yet too often, African pathologists lack the resources to access complex and unique cases that build their knowledge andContinue reading “Showcasing Valuable Insights for Pathologists” - Unveiling the Future of Oncology Care
Cancer treatment is constantly evolving as new research is conducted and new treatments are developed. To ensure that they can answer their patients’ questions about the latest treatment options andContinue reading “Unveiling the Future of Oncology Care” - Strengthening Pathology Capacities in Francophone Africa
Across Africa, many public cancer hospitals struggle with limited pathology capacity—an obstacle that directly impacts timely, accurate diagnoses. To help address this need, BVGH partnered with the American Society forContinue reading “Strengthening Pathology Capacities in Francophone Africa”
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*AAI Impact reflects numbers since AAI launch