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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 Europe, the PMDS is Albania, where WHO's Regional Office for Europe (EURO) 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 ».
Albania has approximately 3.6 million people. In 2002 there were an estimated 6,000 new cases of cancer (Globocan 2002). Albania has a single cancer treatment centre, the Mother Teresa Hospital in Tirana. Patient demand for cancer therapy far exceeds available services. Cancer prevention, early detection, palliation, registration, and civil based cancer society are either not developed or are limited.
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 execution.
Report of the March 2006 imPACT mission, including recommendations, submitted to the counterparts in the country. Minister of Health has accepted recommendations. The first draft of the National Cancer Control Programme was prepared and presented in 2007 in a workshop attended by representatives from national and international organizations. The draft is currently being finalized. Next steps include an international donors&39; conference, the creation of Working Groups within the National Board for Cancer Control, and a follow-up mission to Albania in summer 2008. Several proposals for planning and funding individual projects on early detection of breast 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 Albanian 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 $100,000 for the Albanian 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 breast, cervical and other cancers 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, Regional Office for Europe (EURO), WHO Country Office and IARC (WHO). PACT hopes to involve the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) and others, especially the private sector.
For more information on Albania, please contact Ms. Maria Villanueva.
