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February is World Cancer awareness month. 15th February marks Childhood Cancer awareness day to spread literacy on childhood cancers.

1. The term “childhood cancer” is most commonly used to designate cancer that arises in children before the age of 18 years. Childhood cancers represent between 0.5% and 4.6%* of all cancers. The overall incidence rates of childhood cancer vary between 50 and 200 per million* children across the world.

2. Frequent types of Childhood Cancers.

The pattern of cancer in childhood differs considerably from those among people of all other ages. In general, leukaemia constitutes about a third of all cancer in childhood. The other most common malignancies are lymphomas and tumours of the central nervous system. There are several tumour types that occur almost exclusively in children including neuroblastoma, nephroblastoma, medulloblastoma and retinoblastoma. Cancer of the breast, lung, colon or rectum, typically occurring in adults, is extremely rare in children.

3. Known risks of developing Childhood Cancers.

To date only a few definite risk factors for childhood cancer have been identified. These include ionising radiation and ingestion of the hormone diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy (a treatment no longer in use). A number of childhood cancers are also associated with genetic factors, as suggested by the differences in incidence of childhood cancer between ethnically divergent populations. Individual susceptibility based on genetics may also play a role. Some studies have suggested that viruses such as Epstein-Barr, Hepatitis B, Human Herpes and HIV may also contribute to increased risk for some childhood cancers.

4. Can Childhood Cancers be detected early?

Most childhood cancer initially presents with non-specific signs and symptoms, which may lead to late detection. In high-income countries, because children are usually subjected to close parental and medical surveillance, cancer has a high chance of being detected early. In low-resourced countries, however, there are additional barriers to early detection, including poor access to health services and inadequate diagnostic facilities.

5. What are the Chances of curing Childhood Cancers?

In high-income countries, approximately 80% of children with cancer survive five years or more after the diagnosis of cancer. These improving outcomes result in a growing population of long-term survivors who need follow-up treatment and care. The prognosis is much lower for children diagnosed with cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Factors explaining this include: the late diagnosis of cancer leading to lower levels of effective treatment; poorly equipped hospitals without the appropriate medicines and equipment; other diseases that children might have; and a lack of knowledge about cancer among primary health care providers. In addition, treatment is simply not affordable for many parents in low-resource settings who would be required to pay for the costs themselves.

Credit :World Health Organization

The Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) today stands with the rest of the world in commemorating 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) under the theme: “Orange the world: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect.” ZMA acknowledges that violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world with no social, economic or national boundaries, undermining the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims. 

The profession shares fresh memories of losing one of its celebrated Doctors in Dr. Tasila Mercy Tembo under unresolved circumstances of what is alleged to have been a physical and emotional consequence of GBV. ZMA strongly condemns acts of violence especially against women and girls, and calls upon Health Care Workers (HCWs), Law enforcement agencies as well as the judicial system to collaborate effectively and ensure the perpetrators are prosecuted and justice served in a fast track manner. Victims should have an enabling environment to report their abusers while being protected.

ZMA believes women’s right and freedoms are a bedrock of a sound and sovereign nation.

Together we can win the fight against Gender-Based Violence as it resonates with fundamental human rights.

For God and Country!

Dr. Masiku Phiri

Secretary General

Caring for the Care-givers Taskforce meet to deliberate on a practical tailored response and guide for members of the Zambia Medical Association.

In order for doctors to provide the best care to patients and to derive optimum levels of job satisfaction, the health of the individual doctor must be maximised, both in terms of physical and mental well-being.

In photo: Back row: Left to Right

Dr. Getrude Tshuma – Zambia Association of Gynaecologists & Obstetricians

Dr. Dorothy Kasonde – Care for Care-giver Taskforce Chairperson

Dr. Nyuma Mbewe – Medical Women’s Association of Zambia, Infectious diseases physician.

Front row: Left to Right,

Professor. Emmanuel Makasa – Surgical Society of Zambia

Dr Bright Nsokolo – Zambia College of Physicians

Dr Abel Kapembwa – ZMA Treasurer

Dr Naeem Dalal – ZMA public Health Chairperson and Care for Caregiver ZMA lead

The Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) signed an MoU with University of Lusaka (UNILUS) on Wednesday, 11th November,2020 at the University of Lusaka Pioneer Campus off Alick Nkhata Road. Signing the MoU was UNILUS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pinalo Chifwanakeni and ZMA President Dr. Samson Chisele. In attendance was UNILUS Executive Dean – School of Medicine and Health Sciences – Prof. Kasonde Bowa and ZMA Secretary General – Dr. Masiku Phiri. Others were the UNILUS Head of Department of the School of Medicine and Heath Sciences – Mr Kelvin Chungu, UNILUS Registrar – Administration – Mrs Mukuka Lillian Zimba and UNILUS Head of Quality Assurance – Dr. Malunga Siachumpi.The two institutions agreed to collaborate on cross-cutting matters of interest to both institutions such as;

*• Academic:* this will address the training needs of the members and associates of the Zambia Medical Association with focus in postgraduate Medical or Health Care training offered by the University of Lusaka.

*• Professional:* this will focus on the professional needs of both institutions and will involve collaboration in providing training in professional advancement including Continuous Professional Development (CPD), facilitation of professional examinations, student mentoring, career talks, ethics training and curriculum review support.

*• Research:* this component will involve collaboration in national research priority areas as defined by the Ministry of Health and also support the work of the UNILUS Research Ethics committee as well as conduct joint grants application for National, Regional and International Research.

*• Advocacy:* This will address the advancement of the Medical Profession in general and Medical and Health Care training at a cost effective price for the Zambian population in particular.ZMA is proud to partner with the University of Lusaka and is hopeful that this MoU will enhance collaboration in the areas of interest for both institutions.

Dear Members,

 I wish to inform you that we have officially written to the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) to request that an adjustment is made to the annual practicing certificate fees so that ZMA members who hold the status of former refugees and resident permit holders are reimbursed their outstanding balances as the deductions for 2021 are effected.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Masiku Phiri

Secretary General–Zambia Medical Association