Supporting national efforts to strengthen access to cancer treatment in Zambia

The ATOM Coalition, in close collaboration with the Zambian Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Zambian Cancer Society, convened a workshop in Lusaka on 6–7 May to identify priority target interventions to improve access to cancer treatment.

The workshop brought together a multidisciplinary group of cancer care stakeholders nominated by the MOH, including senior officials such as Dr Citonje Msadabwe, Superintendent of the Cancer Diseases Hospital, and representatives of the Zambian Regulatory Agency (ZAMRA) and Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).

The purpose of the workshop was to validate the findings of an in-depth assessment of Zambia’s medicines landscape, and to establish group consensus on priority areas to address under regulatory affairs, supply systems, diagnostics, and clinical use. The assessment was conducted in collaboration with local consulting firm Med-RAP (Medicines Research and Access Platform).

The findings from this assessment will be shared with ATOM Coalition partners during a webinar in July. This webinar will serve as the foundation for developing tailored interventions and specific programmes and strategies to strengthen Zambia’s health system, enabling it to better receive and effectively use cancer medicines and diagnostic tools.

This workshop marks a key step in ATOM’s mission to support countries in removing systemic barriers to accessing cancer treatment. By facilitating national ownership and drawing on the expertise of its global network, the ATOM Coalition aims to help Zambia and other partner countries deliver high-quality cancer care to more people, regardless of income or geography.