1- Acute Leukemia Referral:
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques approved the recommendations for acute leukemia referral:
Add all centers that treat acute leukemia across all health sectors to the "Ehalati" program.
Activate reverse referrals from specialized centers to hospitals, especially advanced cases that require palliative care.
The Saudi Health Council, represented by the National Cancer Center, should submit a report on the implementation of this decision.
Hold the Oncology Treatment Services Integration Forum in the Kingdom.
2- Integration Recommendations 1:
The National Cancer Center was tasked with implementing several recommendations from the first Oncology Treatment Services Integration Forum, which are:
Recommendation 8: Establish a mechanism to regulate the procurement of radiation devices and cyclotron machines, according to the needs and standards of each region.
Recommendation 9: Do not expand the establishment and addition of radiation therapy devices in the Kingdom's regions until a study on optimal distribution is completed under the supervision of the Saudi Health Council, allowing partnerships with the private sector.
Outcome:
60% of cancer patients need radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. As these devices are not available in some regions and are lacking in others across the Kingdom, and given their specialized and costly nature, the National Cancer Center has formed a working group of specialists from various health sectors to study the current situation regarding radiation therapy and PET CT imaging services in the Kingdom. The aim is to establish a purchasing mechanism based on the needs of each region and allow the private sector to invest in this field. A team from the health sectors was formed to study the current situation, develop recommendations, and submit a report to the Saudi Health Council for approval, which was then submitted to the Council of Ministers for implementation.
The second Oncology Treatment Services Integration Forum: In cooperation with the Ministry of Health's Specialized Centers Administration, the second edition of the Oncology Treatment Services Forum was held in Riyadh on February 2-3, 2020, with the attendance of several distinguished members of the Saudi Health Council and 90 cancer consultants from various sectors. The forum produced more than 40 recommendations to improve oncology services in all health sectors in the Kingdom.
3- Saudi Arabia's Membership in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under WHO:
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the World Health Organization (WHO) is one of the most important international organizations for cancer prevention research. It currently has 27 member countries, including 16 G20 nations. Saudi Arabia's membership in this agency enhances its regional and international standing and leadership in delivering high-quality healthcare services and highlights its participation in global cancer research and studies.
4- Cancer Heroes Program:
The Cancer Heroes Program involves producing educational, awareness, and entertainment materials, organizing artistic and awareness activities, and offering entertainment aimed at children with cancer and their families during treatment in oncology centers in the Kingdom, in collaboration with the "Sanad Charity Association for Supporting Children with Cancer."
Program Outputs:
14 infographic designs.
Motion graphic (Hair Loss).
4 educational/psychological support booklets for children with cancer.
My Story with Treatment competition for children with cancer.
5- ONCO-DASH Database:
The ONCO-DASH database aims to gather information on:
The distribution of oncology centers across the Kingdom.
The distribution of essential health resources available in these centers.
Helping planners in different health sectors.
Improving oncology services coverage based on regional needs.
Equitable distribution of the optimal use of available services across different health sectors.
The variables included in the system have been collected in a single database to provide accurate and reliable information for decision-makers regarding the need for:
Developing and improving oncology services coverage for all regions of the Kingdom.
Key variables.
The number and location of oncology centers.
The number of beds dedicated to cancer patients in each center.
The number of consultants working in the center.
The available treatments at the center.
The number of chemotherapy units in each center.
The types of cancers treated in each center.
The number of new patients and patient reviews at the center.
Average patient wait times for file opening, doctor examination, treatment initiation, and the percentage of case rejections at the center.
6- Guidelines:
The National Clinical Guidelines Project has involved 122 oncology consultants in producing 45 clinical guidelines for various cancers, achieving a 90% completion rate as follows:
National clinical guidelines teams have been formed in the following specialties:
Lung.
Gastrointestinal.
Urological.
Cervical.
Head and Neck.
Breast.
Reproductive system.
Lymphatic glands.
Non-lymphatic glands.
Sarcoma.
A national palliative care guideline based on evidence has been completed.
Four workshops were held on national clinical guidelines for breast cancer, lung cancer, and palliative care in 2018.
Guidelines were updated for:
Palliative care.
Breast cancer.
Lymphatic cancers.
Lung cancer.
7- Workshops:
Six workshops were held in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam on national clinical guidelines for:
Breast cancer treatment.
Lung cancer.
Palliative care.
