Chad and Senegal reach key milestones in Beams of Hope and cancer control planning
Chad and Senegal are two of eight pioneer countries participating in the IAEA's Rays of Hope initiative, which aims to increase access to radiation therapy for cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries. Nine months after the initiative was launched, Chad is preparing to establish its first cancer therapy center in N'Djamena and plans to launch its National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) in early 2023, while Senegal recently completed its NCCP, which details an ambitious national goal to increase cancer care outside of Dakar, particularly by increasing access to care in Diamniadio.
Improving Access to Cancer Care in Senegal
Senegal now has four operational linear gas pedals - the most common machine used to deliver radiation treatment to cancer patients - each with a capacity to treat about 30 patients per day under normal conditions.Each has the capacity to treat approximately 30 patients per day under normal conditions. The country is also developing its nuclear medicine services, which it plans to offer to other countries in the West African region. The IAEA has helped Senegal evolve its cancer care program, including allowing it to move from 2D radiotherapy and brachytherapy to radiotherapy and 3D brachytherapy, which has the benefit of more individualized patient treatment, better clinical outcomes, and reduced side effects.
In May 2022, in a landmark event for Senegal, more than 50 national professionals representing hospitals, public administration and civil society participated in the official validation of the project.In May 2022, in a landmark event for Senegal, more than 50 national professionals representing hospitals, government, and civil society participated in the official validation of the 2022-2025 NCCP, along with IAEA officials and international cancer control experts.
"The development and adoption of this new NCCP allows the Government of Senegal to identify priorities for cancer prevention and control.The development and adoption of this new NCCP allows the Senegalese government to identify priorities for cancer prevention and control," said Dr. Babacar Gueye, who heads the Disease Control Directorate of the Senegalese Ministry of Health. "This plan will guide us in allocating the resources needed to reactivate the cancer registry and advance the decentralization of radiotherapy services.
In addition, by defining the baseline and goals for the next five years, we will be able to monitor and evaluate progress in our ability to expand access to cancer diagnosis and treatment across the country."
On World Cancer Day 2022, the Rays of Hope initiative was launched by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who was joined by, among others, the President of Senegal and PrePresident of the African Union, Macky Sall, who has since made statements in support of the initiative in his country, throughout the African region, and most recently at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Under the Rays of Hope initiative, the IAEA has provided technical advice to strengthen cancer control programs in participating countries, where the two most common cancers are breast and breast cancer.The IAEA provided technical advice to strengthen cancer control programs in participating countries, where the two most common cancers are breast and cervical cancer, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Decentralizing cancer care in Chad
In 2020, after developing a funding proposal with the help of the IAEA to describe planned activities to potential donors, Chad was able to raise more than 20 million20 million raised by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to support the country's cancer control activities. The funds will be used to build the first public cancer treatment and control center in N'Djamena, the capital.
"The Rays of Hope initiative is a concrete step towards a long-term investment strategy for our countryThe Rays of Hope initiative is a concrete step towards a long-term investment strategy for our country," said Dr. Fatima Haggar, National Coordinator of the Cancer Control Program of the Chadian Ministry of Public Health. "This perspective will allow the government to define a series of steps to be taken over the next 10 to 15 years to ensure equal access to diagnostic and treatment services for the entire Chadian population."
Chad's NCCP for the period 2022-2026 calls for the development of capacity building programs in medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology for all categories of personnel - including physicians, nurses, and other health professionals.and the construction of the first cancer management center in the N'Djamena region. The completion of the PNLC and the planned completion of the cancer management center in 2025 are important steps forward and give hope to cancer patients in Chad.
"As we all know, a single initiative is no match for the cancer burden," said Dr. Haggar. "We must ensure that we adopt a comprehensive strategy to address all stages of cancer management, from prevention to palliative care. By creating the first cancer center in N'Djamena and strengthening our information system, we want to promote comprehensive cancer patient management, ensure an efficient referral system and rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment of patients."
Following recommendations from a 2012 cancer control assessment(imPACT review) in Chad, the country has focused on training oncology physicians and improving the quality of care.decedents in oncology and the establishment of a pediatric care unit, while expanding anatomical units and improving imaging equipment. As there is not yet a radiotherapy program in Chad, a radiotherapy referral system facilitates patient travel and treatment so that patients can receive radiotherapy.A radiotherapy referral system facilitates travel and treatment for patients to receive radiotherapy abroad, primarily in Cameroon, Egypt, France, Jordan, Sudan, Turkey and Tunisia. Helping the country build national capacity for radiation therapy is precisely the goal to which the Rays of Hope initiative intends to contribute.
For Chad and Senegal, as well as other countries that need better access to radiation therapy for cancer patients, the Rays of Hope initiative is already beginning to be part of the solution.For Chad and Senegal, as well as other countries in need of improved access to radiation therapy for cancer patients, the Rays of Hope initiative is already beginning to build on the IAEA's strong tradition of providing targeted health care support where it is most needed.
Source: www.iaea.org
