UCT to host paediatric brain tumour workshop

Netcare Oncology will be one of the sponsors of a two-day paediatric brain tumour workshop due to be held in November at the University of Cape Town Medical School. The theme of the workshop, organised by the Red Cross Children's Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital, is "Paediatric Brain Tumours in Low-income Settings".

"The aim of the workshop is to build capacity in the area of paediatric neuro-oncology among health professionals from South Africa and other African countries," says Noeleen Phillipson, managing director of Netcare 911 and the executive tasked with oncology at Netcare.

Professor Simon Bailey, professor of paediatric neuro-oncology at the Great North Children's Hospital and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom, will be attending the workshop. Professor Bailey is currently leading the development of a protocol for the treatment of medulloblastoma (a specific type of brain tumour) in developing countries, on behalf of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP). He also participates in a twinning and telemedicine initiative with colleagues in Malawi, where medical information is exchanged via advanced telecommunications like video conferencing, email and smart phones.

"This is the second year running that Netcare is a sponsor of this workshop as we believe that the workshop is important for knowledge sharing and ensuring that South Africa and indeed other parts of Africa stay ahead of technological and treatment advances when it comes to young children with brain tumours, especially among low-income groups. Representatives from Netcare Oncology will also be attending so that we stay abreast of such advances," Phillipson concludes.