Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC) has taken a leading role in transforming pediatric oncology care across Ethiopia by convening a National Dissemination Workshop on the implementation of cutting-edge digital health tools. The workshop, held at the Monarch Hotel, brought together the nation’s leading pediatric oncologists, hospital leaders, and government representatives to chart a course toward data-driven and standardized cancer care for children.
The event, titled “Scaling Digital HBCRs and ARIA in Ethiopia’s POUs: Toward Data-Driven, Standardized Pediatric Oncology Care,” showcased the successful pilot implementation of two key digital innovations: Digital Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs) and the Adapted-Resource Implementation Application (ARIA) at JUMC and St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC).
The research is led by Dr. Diriba Fufa, Associate Professor of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Jimma University and the project’s Principal Investigator.
A Step Toward Better Data and Better Care
The main presentation was delivered by Dr. Yohannes Kebede from Jimma University’s Department of Health, Behavior and Society. He detailed how the project addresses critical challenges of fragmented care and limited data quality in Ethiopia’s Pediatric Oncology Units (POUs).
Dr. Yohanes outlined the project’s three-phase, implementation research approach:
- Formative Phase: Assessing hospital readiness and co-designing digital workflows with stakeholders.
- Implementation Phase: Deploying the HBCRs and ARIA application, supported by comprehensive staff training and mentoring.
- Evaluation Phase: Measuring the project’s success using the RE-AIM framework to ensure long-term sustainability.
The results are already promising. In the first year alone, over 240 pediatric cancer cases were digitally registered, creating a foundation for real-time, evidence-based decision-making that was previously unavailable.
“Digital innovation is no longer optional in pediatric oncology care—it is essential for improving data quality, patient outcomes, and health system accountability,” emphasized Dr. Diriba Fufa.
Expert Consensus: Digital Transformation is Inevitable and Sustainable
A lively panel discussion with pediatric oncologists and hospital leaders yielded strong consensus on the way forward. Key takeaways included:
- Digital HBCRs are a Necessity: Participants agreed that digital registries are timely and essential. SPHMMC’s successful integration of key performance indicators (KPIs) into its EMR system was highlighted as proof of concept.
- Sustainability is Achievable: With ongoing national digitization efforts, participants were confident that HBCRs can be maintained with strong hospital leadership and supportive policy.
- Strategic Adoption of ARIA: Discussions on the ARIA treatment application were more nuanced. Experts recommended its selective adoption, noting it could be most beneficial in satellite clinics with limited specialist manpower. They also cautioned against over-reliance on its AI tools by trainees and stressed the need for seamless interoperability with existing EMR systems.
The Way Forward: A National Call to Action
The workshop concluded with a unified call to action for a coordinated national strategy. Participants proposed concrete next steps:
- Expand the digital HBCR system to all major oncology centers in Ethiopia.
- Integrate pediatric oncology indicators into the national DHIS-2 health information platform.
- Develop interoperability frameworks to ensure HBCRs and ARIA can communicate with EMRs and national databases.
- Advocate for the formal inclusion of these digital tools within the Federal Ministry of Health’s cancer control strategy.
- Institutionalize training and data stewardship programs to ensure long-term success.
“This workshop demonstrates Jimma University’s leadership in advancing data-driven pediatric oncology care in Ethiopia,” remarked Dr. Yohannes Kebede. “By linking research to practice, we are setting the foundation for standardized, digital, and equitable cancer care for children.”
Acknowledgments
This project is funded and technically supported by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). Jimma University extends its deepest gratitude to all partners, pediatric oncology professionals, and institutions that contributed to the success of this initiative.
For more information, please contact: Dr. Diriba Fufa Principal Investigator, Pediatric Oncology Unit Jimma University Medical Center Email: diriba.fufa@ju.edu.et Phone: +251 973095192
