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. 2020 May 28:14:1051.
doi: 10.3332/ecancer.2020.1051. eCollection 2020.

Zambia's National Cancer Centre response to the COVID-19 pandemic-an opportunity for improved care

Dorothy C Lombe  1   2 , Catherine K Mwaba  1 , Susan C Msadabwe  1 , Lewis Banda  1 , Maurice Mwale  1 , George Pupwe  1 , Paul Kamfwa  3 , Mulape Kanduza  4 , Harry Munkupa  5 , Biemba Maliti  6 , Kalyoka Simbeye  7 , Pious Hachizo  7 , Lilie Lin  8 , Elizabeth Chiao  9 , Kennedy Lishimpi  1   10
Affiliations

Zambia's National Cancer Centre response to the COVID-19 pandemic-an opportunity for improved care

Dorothy C Lombe et al. Ecancermedicalscience. .

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health systems around the globe even in countries with strong economies. This is of particular concern for nations with weaker health systems. This article reports the response of a comprehensive cancer centre in a lower-middle income country to prevent COVID-19 transmission and how the implementation of pragmatic strategies have served as a springboard to improve cancer services beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategies included establishment of a local taskforce, increased education and facilitation of good hygiene practices, staff training, patient triaging, improved patient scheduling, remote review of patients and establishing a virtual platform for meetings.

Keywords: COVID-19; cancer centre preparedness.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Positive outcomes of COVID-19 response at Cancer Diseases Hospital.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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