Ethiopia has taken a landmark step toward improving childhood cancer outcomes with the official launch of the Ethiopian Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society (ESPHO). The new national body is designed to strengthen diagnosis, treatment, and research for children affected by cancer and blood disorders, marking a turning point in the country’s healthcare system.
The inauguration ceremony in Addis Ababa gathered hundreds of healthcare professionals and senior officials, including State Minister of Health Dr. Dereje Duguma, who described the initiative as a major shift in policy and practice.
“Addressing pediatric cancer requires a unified front,” he said, emphasizing that ESPHO will play a central role in data collection, specialist training, and early diagnosis across Ethiopia.
Pediatric cancer remains a serious challenge nationwide. Each year, an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 Ethiopian children are diagnosed, yet fewer than 2,000 receive timely treatment. To close this gap, the Ministry of Health has introduced a five-year roadmap focused on expanding screening programs, improving access to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and increasing the number of specialized treatment centers.
ESPHO President Dr. Abel Hailu highlighted the progress already made over the past decade. Fifteen years ago, pediatric oncology services were nearly nonexistent. T
oday, eight hospitals provide radiotherapy and seven clinics specialize in pediatric oncology. The society also plans to train more than 30 pediatric oncologists, strengthen nutrition programs to combat treatment-related malnutrition, and offer mental health support to thousands of young patients.
International experts welcomed the launch, noting Ethiopia’s potential to significantly improve survival rates. ESPHO aims to raise pediatric cancer survival to 60 percent by 2030 and will host the 2027 SIOP Africa Conference, positioning Ethiopia as a regional leader in pediatric oncology and child health innovation.
