Accelerating Capacity Building in Cancer Control in Sub-Saharan Africa Through Innovative Preceptorships and Multisectoral Partnership

Background: Cancer control in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is constrained by a critical shortage of skilled healthcare professionals across the oncology continuum. With the cancer burden rapidly increasing in low-and middleincome countries (LMICs), scalable and innovative workforce development models are urgently needed. Methods: We implemented a multi-component oncology capacity-building program in Kenya between 2017 and 2019, incorporating long-term formal training, short-course preceptorships, research mentorship, and multidisciplinary virtual tumor boards. The program targeted multiple healthcare cadres, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and research personnel. Outcomes included workforce expansion, training participation, research productivity, and implementation of digital oncology platforms. Results: A total of 32 healthcare professionals were supported for long-term oncology training across 10 institutions. Additionally, 98 participants received short-term training through continuing medical education, 2 workshops, and conferences. The program supported 33 scientific abstracts and presentations at international conferences. Virtual multidisciplinary tumor boards connected eight satellite centers, facilitating collaborative case discussions and expanding access to specialist oncology expertise. Conclusion: This program demonstrates the feasibility of a scalable, hybrid model for accelerating oncology workforce capacity in SSA. Multisectoral partnerships, mentorship, and digital health platforms are critical enablers of sustainable cancer control in LMICs. Increased investment in such models is essential to address persistent disparities in global cancer outcomes.