SOCHIMIO: People United Against Cancer in Cameroon

Like most oncologists in Africa, Dr. Paul Ndom, chief of Medical Oncology Service at Yaoundé General Hospital in Cameroon, has learned to be creative in finding solutions for managing cancer in his country.

Faced with poor cancer drug availability and a lack of medical equipment needed to diagnose and treat cancer - to say nothing of the high cost of those medical resources - Dr. Ndom enlisted the power of people united in a single cause to bring about change. In February 1999, the French-trained medical oncologist launched SOCHIMIO, a not-for-profit association intended to ease both the economic and psychological burdens of cancer treatment.

Dr. Ndom, president of the organization, outlined several objectives: 1. to collect drugs and medical equipment and put them at the disposal of cancer patients; 2. to reduce the cost of cancer treatment in Cameroon; 3. to facilitate exchanges between cancer survivors and those undergoing treatment; 4. to give psychological support to cancer patients; 5. to collaborate with associations or people with similar objectives.

Dr. Paul Ndom is the leading champion of SOCHIMIO, a nonprofit organization he established to provide cancer drugs and useful information to patients in Cameroon.

Seven years later, SOCHIMIO can point to several accomplishments. Cancer patients who are members of SOCHIMIO can buy their drugs at a 50% savings from SOCHIMIO’s “Social Pharmacy” rather than from private pharmacies - which are not regularly supplied with cancer drugs. A Center for Counseling, Information and Education on Cancer supported by SOCHIMIO promotes open dialogues among patients and others seeking information about cancer. Educational programs at the Center, which opened in 2003, stress the importance of cancer screening and early diagnosis, promote healthy lifestyles, and provide information about specific cancers and AIDS. The Center organizes screening and early diagnosis campaigns in outlying areas, and refers identified cancer patients to specialized cancer centers. SOCHIMIO also supports cancer research in a limited way, providing some financial assistance to medical doctors for the collection of epidemiological data and to nurses who need specialized training.

Gradually, the organization is gaining greater visibility, with the opening of satellite offices in Cameroon’s main provincial towns. Memberships are on the rise as the organization recruits health professionals and interested citizens, whose membership dues help subsidize the cost of drugs for cancer patients. Augmenting its relationship with Yaoundé General Hospital, Dr. Ndom has established ties with Cameroon’s National Committee for the Fight Against Cancer and is working with other partners to secure project funding. Ongoing capital projects call for the purchase of equipment and Internet facilities for the Center, and for computer equipment in the Social Pharmacy.

SOCHIMIO’s relatively limited resources are derived from membership fees, members’ contributions and proceeds from services provided.

“This is an association with a lot of compassion for cancer patients, but with very little money,” says Dr. Ndom. “The Centre for Counseling, Information and Education on Cancer is one of SOCHIMIO’s greatest achievements, which deserves to be especially mentioned. Its mission is to promote constructive exchanges about cancer.”

The Center holds monthly informational sessions, organizes public conferences on specific topics, and offers visitors informational literature and media broadcasts. About 1,200 people visit the Center each year.

SOCHIMIO is a grassroots initiative that brings solace and physical comfort, as well as medicine, to cancer patients. Somehow, SOCHIMIO manages to provide what is needed.

And sometimes, what is most needed is hope. Dr. Ndom offers the annual Christmas celebration as an example. “This is an opportunity for former cancer patients and those still under treatment to come together to pray, to eat, to dance and to rejoice together.”

At a recent celebration, cancer survivors stressed the importance of follow-up care, and members organized a march through the city of Yaoudé to raise public awareness of cancer and its cost. For more information, visit www.sochimio.org.

Marcia Landskroener for INCTR