Nov 21-22, 2019. 7th WAKA symposium

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On the 7th WAKA symposium at Antwerp university three PhD candidates from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and Kenya successfully defended their thesis.  Dr Omenge Orang’o from Moi university, Eldoret, Kenya, a founding member of ETiCCS, defended his thesis ‘Novel technologies in cervicasl cancer screeing and treatment. Going beyond VIA and crotherapy in Kenya’

The workshop also reviewed the past activities of the  European-African academic collaborations in Sub-Saharan Africa on Cervical Cancer Control (CDE-GKC-Aud) and discussed and brainstormed on the way forward. Participants engaged in an inspiring and creative talk.

Dr.O.Orang’o PhD graduation
Jury and promotors at Dr.O.Orang’o’s PhD thesis defense at Antwerp University

Oct 28,2019. Geneva health forum workshop at World Health summit

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During the World Health Summit, Oct 27-29, 2019 in Berlin the Geneva Health Forum and the Charité Hospital, Berlin, launched an initiative  to develop large-scale training for health care provider and program managers in low- and middle-income countries to establish sustainable and effective cervical cancer screening which is reaching all women in need. The first meeting brought together experts from various academic institutions, development organisations, NGOs and hospitals from Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Canada, and Mali. A follow-up meeting is planned for May2020. An inventory of existing training programs and a gap analysis will be prepared.

Sept 1-3, 2019. Workshop on cancer: Research Cooperation between UNAM, MoHSS and DKFZ

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Between Sept 1-3, 2019 a delegation from German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), headed by Prof M. Baumann attended Namibia’s 1st international workshop on cancer where German and Namibian high-level participants presented their respective interests and activities in promoting cancer research in Namibia. In break-away sessions opportunities for collaboration in diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy, telemedicine and cervical cancer screening were discussed. Interested participants also had the opportunity for a career talk with head of the DKFZ post-Doc program.

The workshop also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Namibia (UNAM), the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) and the DKFZ. The German delegation also visited the Katutura Hospital, the Windhoek Central Hospital and  the Namibian Oncology Centre (NOC), a state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility in Windhoek.

DKFZ group lead by Prof M.Baumann in front of Namibia Oncology Center
Signing of MoU between Minister of Health Dr K Shangula, Executive Director MoHSS Mr B. Nangobe, UNAM Vice Chancellor Prof K. Matengu and Prof(s) M. Baumann and J. Puchta (DKFZ).
workshop participants on School of Medicine campus

May 19, 2019. 4th Geneva Round Table ‘Cervical Cancer: An NCD We Can Overcome’

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Policy makers and implementers met at the RT meeting in Geneva to move forward the efforts to globally eliminate cervical cancer. Dr Princess Nono Simelela, Assistant Director-General for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health at WHO, Professor Brendon Murphy, National Cervical Screening Program, Australia, and  Dr Sharon Kapambwe, Ministry of Health, Zambia, gave key note addresses about the efforts in their organisations regarding cervical cancer prevention. Also international organisations including Pathfinders, CHAI, PSI, FIGO, USAID, Global fund, UNITAID reported on their ongoing activities.

Prof Petignat moderating the discussion how civic societies can contribute to reach the vision of a cevcical cancer-free generation
Dr Princess Simelola updating on the WHO’s efforts to unite all in the movement to eliminate cervical cancer

April 7-10, 2019 Preparatory meetings on Cancer Cooperation between UNAM and DKFZ

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H. Bussmann visited the MoHSS and the UNAM in order to prepare the Research Cooperation between UNAM, MoHSS and DKFZ. He met the honorable minister of Health Dr K. Shangula, the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Peter Nyarango, as well as academics from the School of Nursing and School of Public Health (Prof Kofi Nyanfco). He also paid a visit to the Family Health Division meeting Programm Manager NCDs, Mrs C.Buys and to the Cancer Association of Namibia where he was welcomed by Rolf Hansen. Other activities included a visit of  the Katutura hospital with a meeting of Dr Flynn at Radiology department, a visit of the Windhoek Central hospital. and the Katutura health post,

Prof Azu, Dr(s) Bussmann and Flynn at Katutura Hospital, Windhoek
At Family Health Division, MoHSS, Windhoek

Apr 1-5, 2019 Mentoring visit at OBGYN department, University of Gondar.

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Dr A. Denecke from Women’s Hospital, Wolfsburg, spent one week in Gondar to provide hands-on training for the gynecologists in sub-specialty oncology training. Besides sharing of experiences and honing screening skills the visit also served to maintain and upgrade colposcopic equipment. So, the light system of the existing colposcope was replaced, a camera system allowing linkage to an external monitor was installed, and mobileODT’s EVA system was introduced as a potential tool for use in VIA clinics. The colpocopy unit also received a new gynecological chair with adaptable back and leg rests which will provide basic comfort in examination both for patients and gynecologist. The chair was donated by the ZONTA Club Heidelberg.

 

Dr(s) Chernet, Denecke and Zelalem (RTL) at OBGYN department, University of Gondar
Dr(s) Dawit and Zelalem with mentor Dr Denecke at colposcopy unit, OBGYN, University of Gondar
Smartphone adapter for colposcope developed and donated by Prof Lellé, Münster
Gynecology chair donated by ZONTA Club Heidelberg

Dec 16-18, 2018. Transferring the Community App to Heidelberg

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Timoté Vaucher, Master student at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) was the key developer of our digital app for the community cervical cancer screening project. He visited the ATB department in Heidelberg and prepared the transition of the program to the Heidelberg university server.

T.Vaucher at Applied Tumor Biology Department, Heidelberg University Hospital

Nov 26-30 2018. Prof Azu from University of Namibia visits DKFZ, Heidelberg

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To prepare a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the University of Namibia and the German Cancer Research Center Prof Azu visited Heidelberg and met with key research program teams at the German cancer Research and spent 2 days at the Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Biology.

Prof Azu in front of ATB, Heidelberg
Dr S. Kalteis demonstrating p16/Ki-67 dual staining

IPVC Sydney Oct 2-6, 2018

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The ETiCCS team presented their recent work in Ethiopia in several oral presentations and poster abstracts at the International Papillomavirus Conference at Sydney. Prof Tamrat Abebe Zeleke and Brhanu Teka from the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, Addis University, who perfomed HPV testing for our studies, also attended the conference.

 

IPVC8-0684: GENITAL SELF-SAMPLING FOR HPV-BASED CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING: LESSONS LEARNED FROM A COMMUNITY SELF-SAMPLING STUDY ASSISTED BY AN ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEM IN RURAL ETHIOPIA (Jede)

IPVC8-0438: CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING IN LMICS. A COMPARISON OF VIA AND HPV TEST PERFORMANCE TO DETECT P16INK4A/KI-67 DUAL-STAIN CYTOLOGY-POSITIVE TRANSFORMING HPV INFECTIONS (Solomon)

IPVC8-0540: GENITAL SELF-SAMPLING FOR HPV-BASED CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF PREFERENCES AND BARRIERES IN RURAL ETHIOPIA (Brandt)

 

Tamrat, Hermann and Brhanu (LTR) at International Convention Centre, Sydney
B.Teka and H. Bussmann at T.Brand’s Poster

Gynecologists from Ethiopia visiting Wolfsburg clinic in Aug-Sept 2018

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As part of the GIZ-funded project to establish a colposcopy unit at the OBGYN department, University of Gondar, Ethiopia, Dr Mular Adefries, stayed for 4 weeks in Wolfsburg with Prof Petry and his team, to extend his knowledge and skills in colposcopy and modern techniques to treat precancerous and early cancer lesions of the cervix. At the same time Dr Mulat’ s colleague Dr Chernet received similar training at the MVK Fürstenfeld  with Prof A. Schneider. Wolfsburg Allgemeine Zeitung 25.10.2018

Prof Petry and Dr Mulat at Wolfsburg clinic
Dr Chernet with doctoral student T.Brandt in Berlin