Cancer Care in the Middle East and Africa

This report explores the state of cancer care in the Middle East and Africa. Nine countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates) are included. The report builds on a comprehensive analysis of secondary literature and interviews with over 30 local experts in these countries. All areas of cancer control – prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment, survivorship, as well as governance – are analyzed in every country. Country-specific recommendations on how to improve the current state of cancer care are provided. The report provides a comparative analysis of the 9 countries and also includes additional comparisons with European countries. It focuses on: 1. Burden of cancer • How many people get and die from cancer? • How big is the burden of cancer in relation to other diseases? • What is the economic cost of cancer to society? 2. Organization of health care and cancer care • Health system – How is it organized and financed? • Cancer care – How is it organized and financed? 3. Current state of cancer care • Governance – Is there a national cancer plan and are there cancer registries? • Prevention – What are the major modifiable risk factors? • Early detection – Why are patients diagnosed late and is there cancer screening? • Diagnosis and treatment – How good is the availability of medical staff, treatment facilities, medical equipment, and cancer drugs? • Survivorship – How good is follow-up care and the return to normal life? 4. Policy recommendations • General recommendations – Why and how to prioritize cancer? • Country-specific recommendations – How to improve cancer care? This report was commissioned and funded by the PhRMA MEA Oncology Working Group and based on independent research delivered by IHE. The PhRMA MEA Oncology Working Group has had no influence or editorial control over the content of this report, and the views and opinions of the authors are not necessarily those of the Oncology Working Group. Disclaimer: This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the country-level experts or their organizations involved.