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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has a long history of supporting successful cancer diagnosis and treatment programmes in the developing world using radiation medicine through its Department of Technical Cooperation (TC) and Division of Human Health (NAHU). Building on this experience, IAEA/PACT and its partners are developing multidisciplinary cancer capacity building projects called PACT Model Demonstration Sites (PMDS) in all WHO regions. In Africa, the PMDS is the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania)[Press Release on collaboration between the country and IAEA/PACT], where WHO's Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) plays the leading role as a PACT Partner.
Over the course of five years, IAEA/PACT, WHO and other partners will assist the national authorities in the design, funding, implementation and evaluation of PMDS projects focusing on country specific priorities. They will provide technical expertise and support government efforts in resource mobilization for the implementation of the national cancer control programme, with emphasis on improving cancer registration, educating and training personnel, introducing prevention and early detection programmes, expanding or improving treatment facilities and services, including radiotherapy, establishing palliative care, and supporting cancer societies and NGOs. For information on general focus of PMDS click here ».
Tanzania has a population of 38 million people. In 2002 there were an estimated 35 000 new cases of cancer (Globocan 2002). Tanzania has a single radiotherapy cancer treatment centre, the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Dar es Salaam. Patient demand for cancer therapy far exceeds available services. Cancer prevention and early detection are not well developed. Cancer registration, palliative care and civil based cancer society are limited.
Organize, coordinate and report on imPACT review mission; coordinate preparation of imPACT report and PACT Model Demonstration Site (PMDS) project proposals and work plans; coordinate interagency collaboration and resource mobilization and deployment during PMDS project execution.
With support from WHO-AFRO, and following on the recommendations of the May 2006 imPACT cancer control needs assessment mission, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare established a National Cancer Control Steering Committee in 2007 to coordinate the preparation of a National Cancer Control Strategy and Action Plan and the implementation of priority activities. At present, the Strategy is being finalized before submission to the Minister. The PACT-donated Equinox unit has been installed and is operational at ORCI. Launch ceremony took place in May 2008 at ORCI with several honoured guests, including H.E. President Jakaya Kikwete. Several proposals for planning and funding individual projects on early detection of cervical and breast cancer, on upgrading the cancer registry, and on expanding the radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services across the country are under development by IAEA/PACT and other partners. A proposal for developing palliative care capacity, co-authored by ORCI and INCTR, has been tentatively accepted by the OPEC Fund for International Development.
Following the signing of the WHO/IAEA Joint Programme on Cancer Control, IAEA/PACT and its partners, together with Tanzanian counterparts, will coordinate the formulation of interagency work plans on strengthening all areas of cancer control, each agency according to its mandate and areas of competence. PACT, in coordination with IAEA internal stakeholders, will support national counterparts in implementing work plans and developing proposals for funding. Having already secured resources for the Tanzania PMDS, PACT will continue its fundraising efforts to help the country mobilize the additional resources needed to implement the PMDS.
Improved cancer survival rate; increased access to treatment for cancer patients; organized screening; earlier detection of cervical cancer with improved opportunity for and delivery of curative treatment; improved public awareness of and knowledge about cancer early detection and its prevention; enhanced palliative programme; and expansion of radiotherapy centres.
PACT works with WHO Headquarters, WHO Regional Office for the Africa (AFRO), WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), WHO Country Office, IARC (WHO), American Cancer Society (USA), Axios International (France), Best Medical International (USA/Canada), International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR), International Union Against Cancer (UICC), MDS Nordion (Canada), Open Society Institute (OSI), Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) (USA) and Tata Memorial Centre (India). PACT hopes to involve others, especially the private sector.
For more information on Tanzania, please contact Mr Dan Malin.
