DGHI Impact Report — 2023-2024

Heronima Joas Kashaigili

Pediatric Hematologist and Oncologist, Bugando Medical Centre
Mwanza, Tanzania

As head of the pediatric oncology unit at Bugando Medical Center, Dr. Heronima Joas Kashaigili has helped lead a dramatic turnaround for children with cancer in Tanzania’s Lake Zone district. Just a decade ago, fewer than one in five children diagnosed with cancer at the hospital survived, as many families were unable to manage the expense and logistical burdens of cancer treatment. Now, more than half recover, thanks in large part to the persistence and creativity of Kashaigili and her team. As part of a long-running partnership with DGHI oncologists Kristin Schroeder and Nelson Chao, Bugando has taken many steps to improve the odds of success, from advancing early diagnosis of cancers and blood disorders to hiring a patient navigator to support families through the myriad stresses of battling cancer. Kashaigili, who completed her pediatrics residency through DGHI’s training program at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, now leads a team of 30 doctors, nurses and trainees that are setting their sights on new areas for improvement, such as diagnosis and treatment of retinal blastomas and lymphoma.

I am working to change

…the odds for children with cancer in Tanzania by improving timely diagnosis and management of pediatric malignancies and blood disorders.

The biggest challenges we face

…are many and varied. Patients may come to us late due to a lack of awareness of cancer risks or symptoms in the community or among health providers, and many aren’t able to afford tests or treatments. Some families abandon treatments before they are complete due to finances or beliefs. We also lack some of the essential equipment we need to improve critical care services and have a low number of staff to support the pediatric oncology and hematology units.

With timely diagnosis and care, more than 80 percent of pediatric cancers are curable.

Partnering with DGHI helps us

…to develop, implement and strengthen research projects that advance our mutual goals. Our DGHI partners were critical in establishing and expanding a hostel for families, which has helped reduce the rate of patients abandoning treatment. They identify resources to build the skills and capacity of our staff, such as exchange programs, workshops and support to attend international meetings. And they are always supportive in developing our team’s research skills, co-authoring publications and helping with grant applications.

It’s important for our partners to

…put a priority on capacity building. I would like to see more capacity building programs in pediatric and global oncology research, such as improving hematological malignancy outcomes, including bone marrow transplants, and the molecular characterization of specific cancers. We also need more education and training in pediatric oncology nursing and intensive care. Increasing the knowledge and skills of the staff who are serving children with cancer will improve patient outcomes.

I am inspired by

…seeing children survive cancer, and knowing that the number of those children who are surviving cancer is growing in Tanzania. With timely diagnosis and care, more than 80 percent of pediatric cancers are curable, and although this isn’t the picture in low-resource settings, I am proud to work hard with collaborators to improve care through research. I enjoy mentoring junior doctors and nurses who will build on that progress. I am also inspired by the foundation started by Dr. Schroeder, whose mentorship has had significant impact on my career and program.

In five years, I hope

…to expand our program by having a dedicated department and space for pediatric and hematological oncology, as well as an independent grants team so that we can participate in different projects. To do this, I will need to continue to expand my own knowledge and leadership.

Heronima Joas Kashaigili Pediatric Hematologist and Oncologist, Bugando Medical Centre Mwanza, Tanzania As head of the pediatric oncology unit at Bugando Medical Center, Dr. Heronima Joas Kashaigili has helped lead a dramatic turnaround for children with cancer in Tanzania’s Lake Zone district. Just a decade ago, fewer than one in five children diagnosed with cancer at the hospital survived, as many families were unable to manage the expense and logistical burdens of cancer treatment. Now, more than half recover, thanks in large part to the persistence and creativity of Kashaigili and her team. As part of a long-running partnership with DGHI oncologists Kristin Schroeder and Nelson Chao, Bugando has taken many steps to improve the odds of success, from advancing early diagnosis of cancers and blood disorders to hiring a patient navigator to support families through the myriad stresses of battling cancer. Kashaigili, who completed her pediatrics residency through DGHI’s training program at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, now leads a team of 30 doctors, nurses and trainees that are setting their sights on new areas for improvement, such as diagnosis and treatment of retinal blastomas and lymphoma. I am working to change … … the odds for children with cancer in Tanzania by improving timely diagnosis and management of pediatric malignancies and blood disorders. The biggest challenges we face … … are many and varied. Patients may come to us late due to a lack of awareness of cancer risks or symptoms in the community or among health providers, and many aren’t able to afford tests or treatments. Some families abandon treatments before they are complete due to finances or beliefs. We also lack some of the essential equipment we need to improve critical care services and have a low number of staff to support the pediatric oncology and hematology units. Partnering with DGHI helps us … … to develop, implement and strengthen research projects that advance our mutual goals. Our DGHI partners were critical in establishing and expanding a hostel for families, which has helped reduce the rate of patients abandoning treatment. They identify resources to build the skills and capacity of our staff, such as exchange programs, workshops and support to attend international meetings. And they are always supportive in developing our team’s research skills, co-authoring publications and helping with grant applications. It’s important for our partners to … … put a priority on capacity building. I would like to see more capacity building programs in pediatric and global oncology research, such as improving hematological malignancy outcomes, including bone marrow transplants, and the molecular characterization of specific cancers. We also need more education and training in pediatric oncology nursing and intensive care. Increasing the knowledge and skills of the staff who are serving children with cancer will improve patient outcomes. I am inspired by … … seeing children survive cancer, and knowing that the number of those children who are surviving cancer is growing in Tanzania. With timely diagnosis and care, more than 80 percent of pediatric cancers are curable, and although this isn’t the picture in low-resource settings, I am proud to work hard with collaborators to improve care through research. I enjoy mentoring junior doctors and nurses who will build on that progress. I am also inspired by the foundation started by Dr. Schroeder, whose mentorship has had significant impact on my career and program. In five years, I hope … … to expand our program by having a dedicated department and space for pediatric and hematological oncology, as well as an independent grants team so that we can participate in different projects. To do this, I will need to continue to expand my own knowledge and leadership.