The SickKids Caribbean Initiative to improve care for children with cancer and blood disorders

• Published in: Revista panamericana de salud pública Vol. 47; no. 130; pp. 1 - e130
• Main Authors: Reece-Mills, Michelle, Baxter, Jo-Anna B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Pan American Health Organization (Organizacion Panamericana de la Salud) 01.01.2023; Organización Panamericana de la Salud; Pan American Health Organization
• Subjects: Advocacy; anemia, sickle cell; Blood diseases; Brief Communication; Cancer; caribbean region; Children; Clinical outcomes; education, medical; health advocacy; Health care; Health Policy & Services; Hematology; medical oncology; Medical personnel; Oncology; oncology nursing; Partnerships; Pediatrics; Project management; Quality of life; Jamaica; Barbados; Bahamas; educación médica; enfermagem oncológica; Região do Caribe; pediatría; pediatria; defensa de la salud; educação médica; medical oncology; database; education, medical; health advocacy; anemia, sickle cell; base de datos; oncología médica; oncology nursing; hematologia; base de dados; Región del Caribe; Caribbean Region; enfermería oncológica; anemia de células falciformes; hematology; hematología; oncologia; pediatrics; anemia falciforme; advocacia em saúde
• ISSN: 1020-4989; 1680-5348; 1680-5348
• DOI: 10.26633/RPSP.2023.130

To improve pediatric hematology and oncology outcomes, there is a recognized potential for partnerships between low- and high-resource institutions within health care systems. The SickKids Caribbean Initiative is a partnership between health care professionals at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, and seven Caribbean institutions across six countries (Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago). The primary aim of the SickKids Caribbean Initiative has been to improve the outcomes and the quality of life of children in the Caribbean aged <18 years who have cancer and blood disorders. This article describes five key activities undertaken within the SickKids Caribbean Initiative, including providing education and training, assisting with case consultations and diagnostic services, developing local oncology databases, engaging in advocacy and ensuring stakeholder engagement, and coordinating administration and project management.