International Cancer Foundation (ICF) shared Mohammed Ibrahim’s post:
“Thank you to Mohammed Ibrahim and Congratulations to all partners involved in the launch of Nationwide Oncology Optimization and Capacity-Building (NOOC-B) project ! At the International Cancer Foundation (ICF) Foundation, we believe sustainable change is driven by localleadership, strong partnerships, and long-term capacity building initiatives.
We are honored to support NOOC-B, an ambitious initiative that will help strengthen oncology services, harmonize standards of care, enhance cancer data registries, and expand professional training across Ethiopia.
Together with Ethiopian Society of Hematology and Oncology (ESHO), the Federal Ministry of Health Ethiopia, and participating institutions, we are working toward a future where cancer patients can benefit from the same high standards of quality care, delivered through nationally aligned protocols, regardless of where they receive treatment.”
Mohammed Ibrahim, General Secretary of ESHO, shared:
“NOOC-B is launched, and the work on our SOPs has begun!
I’m proud to share that the Nationwide Oncology Optimization and Capacity-Building (NOOC-B) project was officially launched at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College- SPHMMC. As Project Lead, it was a privilege to open this new chapter for cancer care in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia sees an estimated 80,000 new cancer cases every year, yet protocols differ from one institution to another, trained oncology professionals are few, and registry data remain incomplete. NOOC-B responds to this. Supported by the International Cancer Foundation (ICF) implemented by the Ethiopian Society of Hematology and Oncology-ESHO (Official Page) , it brings seven cancer centers together over 12 months to:
- Harmonize SOPs for breast, GI and gynecologic cancers
- Build capacity through training workshops and virtual mentorship
- Strengthen the National Cancer Registry, raising completeness from below 70% to 95% or more
The project works as a hub-and-spoke network. SPHMMC and Adama Hospital Medical College serve as the two mentoring hubs, developing the SOPs, hosting training, and leading case review. Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Jimma, Gondar, Hawassa and Harar serve as registry hubs, implementing the protocols, improving registry data quality, and leading local outreach.
At the launch, Lemi Belay Tolu– Academic and Medical service Corporate Director at SPHMMC, opened the event with a keynote, Dr. Kunuz Abdella of the Ministry of Health underscored the importance of NOOC-B for the national cancer response, and Dr. Munir Awol, President of ESHO, thanked the participating centers. I presented the project’s rationale, baseline findings from all seven centers, milestones, and the way forward.
The baseline shows why this work matters: only 2 of 7 centers currently have written SOPs. Drafting has already begun, and our targets include SOPs fully implemented in at least five centers, more than 50 professionals trained, and at least 10 Virtual mentorship sessions.
My sincere thanks International Cancer Foundation (ICF) for its support, to the Ministry of Health and ESHO for their partnership, and to every participating center and nominee for your commitment. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable cancer care system for Ethiopia.”
You can also read:
Why Immunotherapy Access in Ethiopia Can’t Wait – ESHO
