Commentary: Achievements and pitfalls in improving Pediatric Oncology Nursing standards: A public-private partnership project

Wasfa Farooq, Hamid Saeed Shaikh, Shenila Anwar, Rehana Punjwani, Muhammad Rafie Raza

Abstract


Rationale: Approximately 8,000 new cases of pediatric cancer arise annually in Pakistan. However, there is a dire survival rate of 30–35% due to various factors, especially a lack of competent nurses in pediatric oncology care. Public-private partnerships (PPP) supported by a My Child Matters (MCM) Grant from Sanofi Espoir Foundation was granted to Indus Hospital & Health Network (IH&HN) to improve pediatric nursing standards.

Methods: Starting in 2016, nurses from hospitals across Pakistan were enrolled in a continuing education program, which included a comprehensive, hands-on training component. A group chat was created following the training for communication and mentorship regarding challenges faced locally.

Results: Seventy-seven pediatric oncology nurses were successfully trained by IH&HN over three years.

Discussion: Challenges included lack of government funding, shortage of specialist nurses, frequent shifting of nurses away from pediatric care, and indifferent attitudes. Success of the project could have been maximized if trained nurses were motivated and retained by hospitals.

Conclusion: Development and maintenance of PPP in national healthcare systems is essential to improve pediatric oncology nursing care.

Key words: Public Private Partnership, pediatric cancer, pediatric oncology nurses, nursing care


Full Text:

PDF

References


Ahmed, A., Tanveer, M., Siddiqui, A., & Majid Khan, G. (2018). Bridging the gap for clinical pharmacist in developing countries like Pakistan. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 28(3), 229–232. https://doi.org/10.29271/jcpsp.2018.03.229

Ahmed, F., & Nisar, N. (2010). Public-private partnership scenario in the health care system of Pakistan. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 16(08), 910–912. https://doi.org/10.26719/2010.16.8.910

Day, S. W., Sullivan, C. E., Morrissey, L., Abramovitz, L., Segovia, L., Punjwani, R., & Challinor, J. (2020). Development and content validation of an instrument to measure baseline standards for pediatric oncology nursing in low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 38(4), 213–224. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043454220919700

Fanelli, S., Salvatore, F. P., de Pascale, G., & Faccilongo, N. (2020). Insights for the future of health system partnerships in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic literature review. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05435-8

Newell, J. N., Pande, S. B., Baral, S. C., Bam, D. S., & Malla, P. (2005). Leadership, management and technical lessons learnt from a successful public-private partnership for TB control in Nepal. The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 9, 1013–1017. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iuatld/ijtld/2005/00000009/00000009/art00012;jsessionid=ad3gsxnnf76n.x-ic-live-01#

Rheingold, S. R., Neugut, A. I., & Meadows, A. T. (2003), Therapy-related secondary cancers. In: D. W. Kufe, R. E. Pollock, R.R. Weichselbaum, et al., (eds.). Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine (6th ed.). BC Decker Inc. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK13999/

Rodriguez-Galindo, C., Friedrich, P., Morrissey, L., & Frazier, L. (2013). Global challenges in pediatric oncology. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 25(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1097/mop.0b013e32835c1cbe

The Newspaper’s Staff Reporter. (2019, February 17). 8,000 children diagnosed with cancer every year. DAWN, Today’s Paper. https://www.dawn.com/news/1464231

The Newspaper’s Staff Reporter. (2016, March 7). Pakistan has little success in curing cancer in children. DAWN, Today’s Paper. https://www.dawn.com/news/1243976#:%7E:text=KARACHI%3A

%20Pakistan%20is%20among%20the%20few%20developing%20countries,developed%20world%20it%20is%20as%20high%20as%2075pc


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Bookmark and Share