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IAEA/PACT and its partners are developing multidisciplinary cancer capacity building projects called PACT Model Demonstration Sites (PMDS) in all WHO regions. In Latin America, the PMDS is Nicaragua [Press Release on collaboration between the country and IAEA/PACT], where WHO's Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO)/Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) plays the leading role as a PACT Partner.
Over the course of three to 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 radiotherapy (and nuclear medicine) facilities and services, establishing palliative care, and supporting cancer societies and NGOs. For information on general focus of PMDS click here ».
Nicaragua has 5.7 million people. In 2002 there were an estimated 5,000 new cases of cancer (Globocan 2002). Nicaragua has a single cancer treatment centre, the Centro Nacional de Radioterapia in Managua. Patient demand for cancer therapy far exceeds available services. Cancer prevention, registration, early detection, palliation and civil based cancer society are either limited or not well developed.
Organize, coordinate and report on imPACT review mission; coordinate preparation of imPACT report and PACT Model Demonstration Site (PMDS) project work plans; coordinate interagency collaboration and resource deployment and mobilization during PMDS project execution.
Report of the July 2007 imPACT mission, including recommendations, submitted to the counterparts in the country. Minister of Health has accepted the report's recommendations. A mission was carried out in April 2008 to follow up on the recommendations made in July 2007. A National Cancer Control Plan is in the process of being finalized. The next steps include the ratification of a National Steering Committee and the nomination of the Committee Members and the Chairman. The Equinox unit will be installed at the Centro Nacional de Radioterapia later in 2008. Several proposals for planning and funding individual projects on early detection of cervical cancer, on upgrading the cancer registry, on developing palliative care capacity, and on expanding the radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services across the country are under consideration by the IAEA/PACT and other partners.
IAEA/PACT and its partners, together with Nicaraguan 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 grants totalling $200,000 for the Nicaragua PMDS, PACT will continue its fundraising efforts to help the country mobilize the additional resources needed to implement the PMDS.
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 Americas (AMRO)/Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), WHO Country Office, IARC (WHO), American Cancer Society (USA), Best Medical International (USA/Canada), International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR), International Union Against Cancer (UICC), MDS Nordion (Canada), Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) (USA) and the US National Cancer Institute (NCI). PACT hopes to involve the Open Society Institute (OSI) and others, especially the private sector.
For more information on Nicaragua, please contact Ms. Maria Villanueva.
