Ethiopian Society of Hematology and Oncology-ESHO shared on LinkedIn:
“Why immunotherapy access in Ethiopia can’t wait
ESHO was invited to a national workshop on making immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) reachable for Ethiopian patients. The workshop was led by Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) and the EKCC initiative, in collaboration with the ATOM Coalition and UICC.
The new ICI Utilization and Country Preparedness Assessment shows a serious gap. Close to 40,000 patients a year could benefit from these drugs, but only about 1 in 10 can get them, and even then the cost is mostly out of reach. No ICI is stocked in our public cancer centers, and Nivolumab, although registered, is still not available for public use.
The Ministry of Health, EPSS, EFDA, UICC, ESHO, and leading public hospitals sat at one table and agreed on shared priorities:
- Stronger pathology and biomarker testing, so the right patients get the right drug
- A faster, quality-assured drug registration process
- Health insurance schemes that can sustainably cover immunotherapy
- Local research and trials that generate Ethiopian evidence and draw in industry partners
- International partnerships to secure discounted pricing
For ESHO, this is where our members’ clinical experience, training, and advocacy matter most. Access isn’t only about the drug. It needs diagnostics, regulation, financing, and skilled oncologists moving together.
Thank you to TASH and EKCC for leading this important convening, to ATOM and UICC for their partnership, and especially to Hiwot Yeshitila and Sofonias Getachew for their dedication. ESHO will keep working with all partners to turn these commitments into real treatment for patients.”
To which Mohammed Ibrahim, General Secretary of ESHO, added:
“Proud to represent Ethiopian Society of Hematology and Oncology-ESHO at this milestone workshop on immunotherapy access in Ethiopia. Nearly 40,000 patients a year could benefit from ICIs, yet only 10% have access.
Thank you to TASH, EKCC, ATOM, and UICC for leading the way. Now we turn commitments into action. “