Implementing Cancer Care in Rwanda: Capacity Building for Treatment and Scale-Up

Background: The majority of countries in sub-Saharan Africa are ill-prepared to address the rising burden cancer. While some have been able establish a single cancer referral center, few scale-up services nationally towards universal health coverage. literature lacks step-wise implementation approach for resource-limited move beyond single-facility strategy and implement national expand effective Methods: We applied an science framework, which describes four-phase approach: Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS). Through this we describe Rwanda’s not just but program. Results: By applying EPIS approach, analyzed identified strategies factors, informed processes each phase foundational delivery components, including trained staff, diagnostic technology, essential medicines, medical informatics. These components allowed first while simultaneously serving as nidus capacity building future centers. Conclusion: This “progressive scaling” ensured that initial investments country’s center was step toward establishing centers country.