About ECSACO
ECSACO primarily aims to enhance oncology education, training, standards of practice, and research in the region by establishing a network of dedicated centres leading in postgraduate/fellowship training and collaborative accreditation of oncologists through internationally recognized programs.
The purpose is to ultimately address deficits with standard number of oncologists needed, increase provider-to-patient ratios, and strengthen care systems to improve cancer health outcomes for region’s inhabitants, mainly in underserved areas.
ECSACO primarily aims to enhance oncology education, training, standards of practice, and research in the region by establishing a network of dedicated centres leading in postgraduate/fellowship training and collaborative accreditation of oncologists through internationally recognized programs.
The purpose is to ultimately address deficits with standard number of oncologists needed, increase provider-to-patient ratios, and strengthen care systems to improve cancer health outcomes for region’s inhabitants, mainly in underserved areas.
Background
The resolution to establish the College was arrived in November 2016, from a meeting held in Kisumu (Kenya), that brought together several stakeholders in cancer control and care realm upon realization that there was a need to enhance workforce in the region. Since then, the steering team embarked on a journey to have the College registered, recognized, and established as a regional oncology training body. This has been facilitated by the International Cancer Institute (ICI), tasked with midwifing the registration and functioning.
Primary Objectives of the College
Upon full establishment, ECSACO will be a professional body that advances postgraduate training and education in oncology with the following primary objectives:
- Advance cancer education, training, standards of practice and research within its regional scope.
- Shape and lead in the training, examination, and accreditation of oncologists in the ECSA region through common oncology training programs and internationally recognized oncology qualifications.
- Be the custodian of the East Central and South African Journal of Oncology (ECSAJO) which will be a high-impact and peer-reviewed journal that will publish and disseminate significant oncology research carried out in the region.
We offer a number of programs that include:
- Medical Oncology
- Paediatric Oncology
- Gynaecology Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Hematology
Admission to the College will be open to all registered medical practitioners who comply with the professional requirements.
Vision
To be the reference oncology body in the region of East, Central, and South Africa and beyond.
Mission
To promote excellence in Oncology Care, Training, and Research.
Affiliations
The College encourages the establishment of National Oncology Associations and Societies in the constituent member countries, and these bodies shall be affiliating corporate bodies of the College of Oncologists.
ECSACO is currently a constituent college of the East Central and Southern Africa College of Health Sciences (ECSA-CHS) and is to be affiliated to any other Colleges or Associations, within the East, Central, and Southern Africa region and beyond.
