Medical institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the Sub-Saharan Africa region are invited to participate in ASCO’s education and knowledge-exchange program, the International Cancer Corps (ICC). The request for proposals (RFP) is now open, and all proposals are due July 15.
Because LMICs experience the greatest burden of cancer, the ICC’s mission is to help improve the quality of cancer care at medical institutions in these countries by sharing knowledge and skill-building resources and opportunities. ASCO member volunteers provide education and training to clinical staff at the host site in collaboration with the participating medical institution.
Dr. Voon Pei Jye, department head and a medical oncologist at Sarawak General Hospital’s Department of Radiotherapy, Oncology and Palliative Care, notes the very positive experience his institutions had after becoming an ICC site in nearly three years ago:
“Our journey with ASCO’s ICC program began in 2020 at the height of COVID-19 pandemic. It has been an amazing two and half years of wonderful collaboration that came into fruition despite the many challenges. ASCO ICC programs are highly innovative and adaptive, encompassing e-courses on palliative medicine, virtual multidisciplinary board discussions of neuro-oncology with the ASCO team of experts/volunteers, and in-person train-the-trainer sessions. This state-of-the-art collaboration enabled successful sharing and consequential knowledge and skillsets translation to our local teams, and it has definitely enhanced quality of cancer care in our state. Essentially, our team has gained tremendous benefits and inspiration.”
ASCO will work with the host institution to organize up to two in-person or online courses per year to develop multidisciplinary care approaches and improve palliative care for patients with cancer:
- Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Course (MCMC): Annually or as appropriate, ASCO and the host institution will organize a three-day MCMC, which are aimed at improving cancer care globally by promoting interdisciplinary cancer management among specialists, surgeons, pathologists, and members of the oncology caregiving team.
- International Palliative Care Course: Annually or as appropriate, ASCO and the host institution will organize a three-day International Palliative Care Course, which will cover topics including communication skills, pain assessment and symptom management.
- Participation in quality measurement programs: ASCO volunteers will provide training on how to participate in ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) and apply for the QOPI Certification Program.
To facilitate collaboration, ASCO volunteers will visit the host institution in person or virtually up to four times a year to provide the Host Institution with additional training.
Key Dates
Application Submission Opens: March 1, 2023
Applications Due: July 15, 2023, by 11:59 PM (ET)
Award Notification: September/October 2023
Program Activity Begins: Quarter 4 2023
For more information or questions about eligibility, send an email to international@asco.org.
Learn more, view the list of eligible countries, and access the RFP and application.
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