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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 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 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 ».
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, palliative care, 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.
A draft document of the National Cancer Control Strategy has been finalized with support from WHO-EURO and is under review by the Ministry of Health. A Donor’s Conference will be organized to fund the various components of the Cancer Plan. Activities in the country are ongoing to increase the early detection of breast cancer through information, education (breast self-examination), and training of professionals (clinical breast examination). The new Equinox Cobalt 60 machine cost-shared by Albania, IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation and PACT (through MDS Nordion) is now installed at the Mother Teresa Hospital, and has been treating patients since February 2009.
In the area of palliative care, the Ryder Albania Association (RAA) has advocated for the need to train health professionals in palliative care and a 6-hour palliative care course in now part of the curriculum of the Faculty of Medicine and Social Work. The Sue Ryder Hospice is the reference centre for palliative care in Albania. A Round Table was also organized in 2008 with various NGOs and donors involved in palliative care. Several proposals for planning and funding individual projects on early detection of breast cancer, upgrading the cancer registry, developing palliative care capacity, and expanding the radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services across the country are under development by the IAEA/PACT and other partners. Albania has continued to work towards the implementation of cancer control activities.
Following the signing of the WHO/IAEA Joint Programme on Cancer Control, 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 resources for the Albanian 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 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 Mr Jean-Pierre Cayol.
