Global Blood and Marrow Transplantation Training for International Physicians from LMICs: 5-year experience at UIC

1. The UIC GlobalBMT Training has been offered since 2018 with a comprehensive curriculum to build capacity in BMT in LMIC setting.

2. Longitudinal follow-up with trainees was key to support the growth of BMT in LMIC and build global partnerships.

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Global Blood and Marrow Transplantation (GlobalBMT) program aims to build capacity and address the disparity in BMT access in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through a structured, in-person training initiative. Between 2018 and 2022, the program hosted 13 trainees from eight countries (Bolivia, Nepal, Nigeria, Ukraine, Uganda, Greece, Argentina, Tanzania) offering a comprehensive curriculum encompassing hematologic disease management, transplant protocols, quality management, and research development. Surveys conducted pre-training, post-training, and six months after the sessions demonstrated the program’s success in equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to initiate or advance BMT plans in their home institutions. Feedback from trainees emphasized the value of clinical and laboratory observership, case discussions, and networking opportunities, while advocating for extended training durations. These findings provide insight on the program’s role in working with LMIC physicians to support their plans tailored to the healthcare challenges in their countries.