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As the chosen PACT Model Demonstration Site (PMDS) for the Latin American region, Nicaragua is working together with PACT and its international partners to fight the country's growing cancer epidemic. An interagency mission to the capital, Managua, 24-26 July 2007, reviewed progress made so far and reaffirmed commitments towards developing and implementing a National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP).
The visit reviewed recommendations drawn up during a May 2006 imPACT interagency needs assessment mission. In particular, discussions with the Minister of Health and health authorities focused on the creation of a National Cancer Control Steering Committee, which will lead the process of developing and implementing a comprehensive NCCP; supervise, provide guidance and monitor the Plan's implementation; and ensure that cancer interventions are integrated into the national health care delivery system.
To date, one of the biggest challenges to cancer control in Nicaragua has been that efforts by both the Government and the NGO sector have been largely disjointed, without a clear consensus-based plan to follow. It is hoped that PACT and its partners' assistance to the Ministry of Health in finalizing the NCCP will help the country move towards meeting this goal.
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Nicaragua, after cardiovascular disease and accidents/violence. According to the Ministry of Health, more than 2000 people in this country of 5.6 million die of cancer each year. Health professionals believe these figures are increasing. The country has one radiation therapy centre, the Centro Nacional de Radioterapia (CNR) in Managua, which has two radiotherapy machines. In addition to the CNR, Nicaragua has three hospitals with cancer surgery facilities.
One of the radiotherapy machines at CNR is old and will be decommissioned by the end of the year to make room for a brand-new MDS Nordion Equinox Cobalt-60 machine, worth $750,000, which is being donated through PACT. An important part of the July mission was to review the readiness of the CNR to receive the donated radiotherapy machine.
During the course of the mission, international partners and Nicaraguan counterparts formed working groups for each area of cancer control. Concrete workplans are currently being prepared, which should help to prioritize activities for each component of the NCCP.
It was pointed out that due to other health issues of high concern, such as communicable diseases like malaria, in the past priority has not been given to cancer control in Nicaragua. It is hoped that the refining and adoption of the NCCP — which has been drafted but is currently under revision — will help place this firmly on the health agenda. In this context, the establishment of a national Steering Committee is vital.
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