The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has developed an automated voice call system to monitor cancer patients between treatments, reducing the need for lengthy hospital visits. The system, presented at the World Cancer Congress in Hong Kong, calls patients to check for side effects and alerts doctors when they may need to return to hospital earlier than scheduled. This innovation aims to improve patient care and outcomes in Uganda, where cancer patients often travel long distances to access treatment.
The automated call system was developed with support from the Uganda Communications Commission and uses Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology. Patients are asked pre-recorded questions about common side effects, and their responses are sent to their doctors, who decide whether they need to return to hospital earlier than scheduled. The system is free to use for patients and does not require internet or smartphone access, making it accessible to a wide range of people.
The system was piloted on about 100 patients with blood cancers, making around 700 automated calls a week. In about 18 cases, patients were asked to return to hospital before their scheduled appointment due to serious side effects. The pilot research was funded with US$50,000 from the International Cancer Foundation in Switzerland. The UCI currently has six channels for the system, which could be scaled up nationally with increased capacity and funding.
The automated call system has the potential to be a game-changer for cancer patients in low-income settings, where many pay hospital bills out of pocket. Getrude Nakigudde, a Ugandan breast cancer survivor and advocate, says free-to-use solutions like this are a lifeline for people who might not otherwise be able to afford follow-up care. She recalls her own experience as a cancer patient 20 years ago, when many patients died due to lack of follow-up.
The Ugandan Ministry of Health has expressed interest in adopting the tested system at the UCI, citing the rising incidence of cancer in the country. Daniel Kyabayinze, director of public health, says the system is cost-saving and could be replicated at regional cancer centers. The Ministry plans to explore sustainable financing options to make the system widely available.
Globally, cancer cases are on the rise, especially in low-income countries. According to the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, there were 20.6 million new cancer cases and almost 10 million deaths in 2024, with incidence projected to rise to nearly 35 million by 2050. The global economic cost of cancer is expected to reach US$25.2 trillion by 2050.
The UCI team plans to adapt the automated call system for patients with other types of cancer, such as breast cancer, and to extend the model beyond Uganda to other African countries. The system uses solar power to drive the system, making it energy-saving and environmentally friendly. With further development and scaling, the automated call system could make a significant impact on cancer care in Uganda and beyond.
Key points
- The automated call system is free to use for patients and does not require internet or smartphone access.
- The system has been piloted on 100 patients with blood cancers, with 18 cases resulting in early hospital readmission.
- The Ugandan Ministry of Health plans to adopt the system at the UCI and explore sustainable financing options for national rollout.
