During LGCW 2026, the CCLG Global Child Cancer group will come together to discuss online the best practices and how to improve access to safe, effective chemotherapy for children with cancer in LMICs.
All paediatric oncologists and haematologists, resident doctors, nurses, pharmacists, other allied health professionals, charities or representatives from any children’s cancer organisations are warmly invited to join us. We would be delighted to welcome anyone with an interest in improving outcomes for children with cancer globally, and we look forward to sharing ideas, learning from one another, and fostering new collaboration.
We know what best practice looks like in the UK, but how can LMICs achieve best practice, or work towards achieving it, when there are reduced, and in some cases, no, funds, facilities or adequately trained staff?
A chemotherapy service covers everything from procurement to administration at the bedside, and everything in between. This session will focus on specific areas concerned with storage, handling and giving the chemotherapy.
- We will hear from 4 representatives from our UK children’s cancer partnerships - Malawi, Pakistan, Ghana and Nepal, with speakers from both HIC and LMIC.
- The focus will be on practical aspects of chemotherapy storage, handling and administration within hospital settings / at the bedside. Emphasis on practical, transferable learning and collaborative improvement.
- We aim to show what currently works and which areas need help.
- We will suggest ways to achieve better and safer chemotherapy delivery for children with cancer in these countries.
- We will also hear from The Bureau of Investigative Journalism Global Health Team, with an update of their work relevant to this area.
- There will be a discussion at the end where you are welcome to ask questions and join in. Panellists will include clinicians from high- and low-income countries.
Schedule:
Introduction: Dr Emma Johnson, Chair, CCLG Global Child Cancer Group
Helping to develop and support a nurse-led chemotherapy service in Malawi: Hannah Di Lullo, Paediatric Oncology Senior Nurse (Retired)
Best Chemotherapy Practices - A brief overview of the medication use process: Ms Shakila Mushtaq, Pharmacist, Paediatric Oncology Department, The Children’s Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
From Fear to Confidence: Building Competence in the Safe Handling of Chemotherapy Agents - Ghana's Story. Pharm Roger K Ahiable, Pharmacist, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
Practical considerations with chemotherapy: From ordering, storage to administration. What helps in hospitals, wards and at the patient bedside: Mrs Lamia Samrin-Balch, Pharmacist and former Principal Pharmacist for Paediatric Cancer for Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
Tracking poor quality chemotherapy: Andela Milivojevic, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism Global Health Team
Discussion:
- Developing practical chemotherapy service standards or benchmarking tools for LMICs.
- Exploring existing SIOP standards and whether chemotherapy-specific guidance could be developed further.
Attendance is free of charge; however, registration is required to receive access to the session.
If you have any questions, please contact membership@cclg.org.uk.