Back Technical Assistance for the implementation of the National screening programme for colorectal, cervical and breast cancer in Serbia
Identification details
Official title of the project Technical Assistance for the implementation of the National screening programme for colorectal, cervical and breast cancer in Serbia
Website www.screeningserbia.rs /
Region/City Belgrade
Sector(s) Health
Budget / EC contribution 1,772,000.00 €
Implementation period 31 January 2011 - 31 January 2013
Expected results
  1. Established, operational and competent National Cancer Screening Office, working according to international public health standards;
  2. 50 district public health institutes experts trained in cancer screening related basic epidemiology, principles of screening, methods of organisation, data collection, performance monitoring and evaluation, and local mobilisation techniques;
  3. Cost calculations in relation to cancer screening programmes, based on available epidemiological and clinical data, and assessment of health gain from cancer screening programmes at different participation rates.
  4. A comprehensive training course material compiled to train radiologists on breast cancer screening and diagnostics in accordance with the recommendations and standards set by the European practices and guidelines, and 80 radiologists trained according to European standards in breast cancer screening and diagnostics;
  5. Training on breast cancer screening and diagnostics is built into the continuous medical education system for radiologists and for radiographers, according to the existing legal regulation in the Republic of Serbia;
  6. A comprehensive training course material compiled to train radiographers on breast cancer screening and diagnostics in accordance with the recommendations and standards set by the best European practices and guidelines, and 100 radiographers trained according to European standards in breast cancer screening and diagnostics;
  7. A comprehensive training course material compiled to train cytopathologists on cervical cancer screening and diagnostics in accordance with the recommendations and standards set by the European practices and guidelines, 30 pathologists trained according to European standards in cervical cancer screening and diagnostics;
  8. Training on cervical cancer screening and diagnostics is built into the continuous medical education system for pathologists and laboratory assistants, according to the existing legal regulation in the Republic of Serbia;
  9. A comprehensive training course material compiled to train cytotechnicians on cervical cancer screening and diagnostics in accordance with the recommendations and standards set by the best European practices and guidelines, and 100 cytotechnicians trained according to European standards in cervical cancer screening and diagnostics;
  10. A comprehensive practice course material compiled to train gastroenterologists to perform colonoscopy in accordance with the recommendations and standards set by the international practices and guidelines, 50 gastroenterologists trained according to international standards in colonoscopy – especially in colorectal cancer diagnostics and therapeutic interventions (polypectomy);
  11. Training on colonoscopy is built into the continuous medical education system for gastroenterologists, according to the existing legal regulation in the Republic of Serbia.
  12. Teaching/educational material for short training – in 4-6 hours – prepared for district public health institutes staff in order to train and educate selected primary health care staff (dom zdravlja administrative staff, general practitioners and practice nurses) on tasks and techniques of effective participation in cancer screening programmes, with special regard to colorectal cancer screening, and on mobilisation their patients for screening;
  13. District public health institutes staff trained and supplied with teaching/educational material on educating selected primary health care staff on participation in cancer screening programmes, with special regard to colorectal screening, and on mobilisation patients for screening;
  14. Assistance provided for the Ministry of Health to the mobilisation campaign in the form of printed information leaflet for patients, short information leaflets for primary health care staff.
Beneficiary Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia
Partners HD European Consulting Group, Republic of Serbia
Contact details
  • Maja Vučković-Krčmar
  • Project Manager
Summary
Summary of the project
(up to 1500 characters) 		In the Republic of Serbia there is relatively high incidence and mortality from malignant tumors, as well as high frequency of risk factors. An important problem is represented by lack of recognition of risky behaviour and insufficient use of positive experiences in implementing prevention and early detection program for malignant diseases from developed countries of Europe and the world. Malignant tumors, after cardio-vascular diseases represent the most frequent cause of disease development and dying of people, both in the world and in our country. According to estimates of the World Health Organization, over 22 million people in the world live with cancer. Every year 11 millions of new patients are registered in the world, out of which around 60% in the developing countries, while seven million people die from malignant diseases (1.2). Every year in the Republic of Serbia around 32.000 new cases of malignant diseases are diagnosed, and annually in the Republic of Serbia around 20.000 people die from cancer. The objective is to improve the health of the population of the Republic of Serbia and to prevent development of malignant diseases, especially in persons with increased risk for their development. The objective is to improve the quality of life of those who have already developed malignant diseases, who need efficient treatment, adequate control of symptoms and complications, control of undesired treatment effects, as well as psychological, social and spiritual support to the patient and the family.
Main goal of the project
(up to 800 characters) 		The project will enhance national efforts in the fight against colorectal, cervical and breast cancers by using three types of strategies:
  • Increasing the managerial capacity of Serbian cancer experts in establishing screening process by creating the National Cancer Screening Office which will have a central role in the organization, monitoring, and supervision of national cancer screening programmes;
  • Increasing the knowledge of Serbian cancer screening experts in primary health centres (dom zdravlja staff and district public health institutes staff) and developing their skills to perform tasks related to cancer screening programmes, and thus to contribute to patient safety;
  • Raising awareness in assisting the Ministry of Health in the framework of a mobilization campaign of the population, through the medi
Specific objectives
(up to 800 characters)
  1. Establishing of the National cancer Screening Office which will:
    • provide general coordination and professional guidance for the public health institutes’ staff involved in the local organization of cancer screening programmes;
    • maintain and operate the national cancer screening database;
    • collect information and prepare reports on existing human and infrastructural capacities;
    • prepare recommendations on capacity development, financing and regulating screening programmes for the Ministry of Health.
    1. Training for radiologists: Preparation of training material for radiologist
    2. Training for radiographers: Preparation of training material for radiographers
    3. Training for cytopathologists: Preparation of training material for cytopathologists
    4. Training for cytotechnicians: Preparation of training material for cytotechnicians
    5. Training for gastroenterologists: Preparation of training material for gastroenterologists
    6. Preparation of training material provided to trainers of district public health staffs: Hand-outs for lectures; Guides for trainers; Short, easy-to-use information material for local primary health care staff training, 3-4 pages altogether, in 30.000 copies; Training of district public health institute trainer staff to educate primary health care staff on cancer screenings
    7. Assisting the Ministry of Health with its mobilisation campaign in the form of printed information leaflets for patients, short information leaflets for primary health care staff; Support national-level media campaigns organised and financed by the Ministry of Health, with printed materials on cancer screenings to be distributed in dom zdravljas and at local events organised by local public health institutes.