OUR NEWS

Countries around the world are facing the devastating costs of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption it brought to patient care. Add to this the already heavy burden of endemic diseases like malaria, HIV and TB, NTDs and others, and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and vulnerable African healthcare services are severely constrained.

Phakamisa, AstraZeneca’s access to healthcare initiative, focuses on lessening the burden of non-communicable disease (NCD) on the South African healthcare system, through the promotion of primary prevention, early detection of disease and access to care.

Barbara Nel – AstraZeneca Country President for African Cluster (SA, SSA and FSA) spoke to Forbes – Africa on lessons learnt from these atypical years of navigating the pandemic and the importance of partnering in 2021 and beyond, such as the partnerships that form the foundation of the Phakamisa initiative, to ensure a healthier and fairer world, moving beyond prevention and diagnoses to innovation and digitization, to keep pace with the ever-changing times.

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AstraZeneca’s Phakamisa initiative welcomed the 2021 cohort of nurses commencing their Breast Course 4 Nurses at the launch event held in Tygerberg, South Africa. The initiative forms part of a larger strategic health project to increase the number of trained Oncology Breast Nurses in all clinics and hospitals throughout the country and will support prompt referral of patients with breast conditions, therefore reducing waiting time, in line with the Clinical Guidelines for Breast Cancer Control and Management.

AstraZeneca’s Phakamisa initiative held a community Prostate Cancer Awareness and Screening day over the Father’s Day weekend (19 June 2021), in Vilakazi Street, Soweto, in partnership with Proactive Health Solutions (PHS) and JourneySys.

In addition to the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening offered at the event by trained nurses, the agenda also included insightful talks by prostate cancer survivors and presentations on prevalence, risk and treatment of prostate cancer. Screening days form part of Phakamisa’s Awareness pillar which focuses on building understanding within our communities, hosting awareness and screening events, providing informative pamphlets and illustrative diagrams about breast and prostate cancer.

We are committed to bringing forth profound changes in healthcare by empowering patients, community healthcare outreach workers, and healthcare professionals.

The Dr Fundi digital health channel hosted a Phakamisa webinar in partnership with the City of Johannesburg Speaker of Council Madam CLLR, Nonceba Molwelwe, on prostate cancer screening, diagnosis and care. The event was held in collaboration with local radio stations and shared on social media channels to ensure a broad reach on the important discussion of male health, and in particular Prostate Cancer.

The panel of speakers included Specialist Urologist, Dr James Urry, Health Activist and Prostate Cancer Survivor, Dr Sello Motaung, Regional Health Deputy Director City of Johannesburg, Mr Vusi Mazibuko, and Country President AstraZeneca African Cluster, Ms Barbara Nel, with Dr Nyati facilitating.

Awareness initiatives are a key focus area of the Phakamisa programme, particularly important in men’s health where studies show that men in developing countries present too late.

View the show on YouTube: Men’s Health Month – Spotlight on Prostate Cancer, 21 July 2021: Click here

Phakamisa has partnered with Proactive Health Solutions (PHS) Africa to provide integrated health and wellness solutions. Live coverage will be available on www.fundilenyati.com and www.facebook.com/Dr.Nyati/live

Barbara Nel, Country President for African Cluster (South Africa, Sub Sahara and French Speaking Africa) for AstraZeneca spoke to Michael Avery from Classic 1027 on why AstraZeneca is expanding the Phakamisa initiative. This year Phakamisa is increasing its reach through partnerships with multiple healthcare stakeholders to improve breast and prostate cancer management in the public sector and specifically support patients in the early detection of disease, through our three-pillared approach of training, awareness and access.

Dr Thulo Molefi, Specialist and Senior Lecturer, Department of Medical Oncology, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria (South Africa) writes on the progress made to date in access to healthcare in South Africa and the work still to be done.

In a journey of a million miles, AstraZeneca’s Phakamisa initiative, in trying to increase cancer awareness, facilitate early diagnosis and fast-track pathways to treatment, is a step in the right direction.

Dr Molefi also spoke to Refiloe Mpakanyane on Radio 702 on the health burden of breast cancer in South Africa and his involvement in the Phakamisa programme https://omny.fm/shows/weekend-breakfast-with-phemelo-motene/dr-molefe

Partnering is key.

On 27 November at Steve Biko Academic Hospital (Tshwane District Hospital), representatives from across the health system jointly pledged to work together to improve health outcomes for patients in South Africa through AstraZeneca’s Phakamisa initiative. As community, civil society, government and private entity partners we are committed to bringing forth profound changes in healthcare by empowering patients, community healthcare outreach workers, and healthcare professionals.

AstraZeneca’s Phakamisa programme, represented by Ruth Field, Market Access Director for AstraZeneca South Africa, visited Orange Farm Community Centre today to support Bishop Thabile Mnisi Msibi of the Mission Care Society and the district community health workers. The initiative focused on creating awareness and educating families and communities on the importance of cancer screening.

The Dr Fundi digital health channel hosted a virtual roundtable discussion on cancer screening, diagnosis and care. Joining Dr Nyati at the roundtable were Ruth Field, AstraZeneca’s Market Access Director in South Africa and Phakamisa lead, Salome Meyer, an independent cancer advocate from Cancer Alliance umbrella body of NPOs, and Dr Thulo Molefi, a Specialist Medical Oncologist from Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

Phakamisa has partnered with Proactive Health Solutions (PHS) Africa to provide integrated health and wellness solutions. Live coverage will be available on www.fundilenyati.com and www.facebook.com/Dr.Nyati/live

AstraZeneca’s Phakamisa initiative held a Breast and Prostate Cancer screening day on 27 November 2020 at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital (Tshwane District Hospital).

Over 50 people visited the 3 screening stations set up at the hospital where trained nurses conducted clinical breast examinations and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. Screening days form part of Phakamisa’s Awareness pillar which focuses
on building understanding within our communities, hosting awareness and screening events, providing informative pamphlets and illustrative diagrams about breast and prostate cancer.