Preparing for the Next Pandemic: An Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) Initiative

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 National Cancer Center, Japan, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

2 Early Detection and Cancer Prevention Services, The Brunei Cancer Centre, Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre, Brunei Darussalam.

3 National Cancer Institute, 4, Jalan P7, Presint 7, 62250 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia.

4 Dharmais Hospital - National Cancer Center, Jalan Letjend S. Parman No.84-86 Kecamatan Palmerah, Kota Jakarta Barat, DKI Jakarta, Indonesia.

5 Kathmandu Cancer Center, Tathali, Bhaktapur, Nepal.

6 Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan.

7 National Cancer Institute, National Cancer Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.

8 Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Dr Ernest Borges Rd, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 2, India.

9 Medical School, Shahid Behshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

10 National Cancer Centre of Singapore, 11, Hospital Crescent, Singapore.

11 Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore.

Abstract

The COVID-pandemic has shown significant impact on cancer care from early detection, management plan to clinical outcomes of cancer patients. The Asian National Cancer Centres Alliance (ANCCA) has put together the 9 “Ps” as guidelines for cancer programs to better prepare for the next pandemic. The 9 “Ps” are Priority, Protocols and Processes, Patients, People, Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs), Pharmaceuticals, Places, Preparedness, and Politics. Priority: to maintain cancer care as a key priority in the health system response even during a global infectious disease pandemic. Protocol and processes: to develop a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and have relevant expertise to man the Disease Outbreak Response (DORS) Taskforce before an outbreak. Patients: to prioritize patient safety in the event of an outbreak and the need to reschedule cancer management plan, supported by tele-consultation and use of artificial intelligence technology. People: to have business continuity planning to support surge capacity. PPEs and Pharmaceuticals: to develop plan for stockpiles management, build local manufacturing capacity and disseminate information on proper use and reduce wastage. Places: to design and build cancer care facilities to cater for the need of triaging, infection control, isolation and segregation. Preparedness: to invest early on manpower building and technology innovations through multisectoral and international collaborations. Politics: to ensure leadership which bring trust, cohesion and solidarity for successful response to pandemic and mitigate negative impact on the healthcare system.

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