Pacific Project Background & Plan

Prior to 2006 no child with cancer was treated in either Samoa or Tonga. Of the children with cancer treated in Fiji there were no long term survivors, abandonment was high, as were toxic deaths. The nations of Cook Islands, Nuie and Tokelau Islands already have access to NZ based child cancer treatment because of the political relationships which exist. Several other pacific countries indicate they have more pressing causes of child mortality but have asked to remain in contact.
Assuming child cancer incidence is as seen in NZ ( 150/million population < 15 years), expected child cancer incidence for Fiji would be 45, Tonga 7,Samoa 11 and Cook Islands, At present Tonga and the Cook Islands diagnose their expected number of cases, Fiji is improving and Samoa is lagging due to no treatment available if a cancer diagnosis is made.
Analysis of three decades of referrals of children with cancer from Pacific Island nations to New Zealand showed almost uniformly poor outcomes. Large amounts of Pacific Islands and Aid funding was spent on these poor outcomes with no improvement in capacity in the Pacific.
In 2006, political and clinical champions were identified and agreement was reached on a process which would lead to increased clinical capacity in Fiji , Samoa and Tonga to identify and treat those children with cancer who have a good chance of being cured. The remainder will be offered access to palliative care programmes. Fiji “ twins” with Christchurch Haematology Oncology Centre and Samoa and Tonga with the Starship Blood and Cancer Centre. Training for paediatric doctors and nurses is provided in NZ and in the Islands by NZ based clinicians who volunteer their time. Initially the project was financially supported by a grant from NZ Aid for the years 2006- 2008.Now the project continues under the NZ National Child Cancer Network with the support of The World Child Cancer Charitable Trust ( WCCCT) which is a key financial supporter.