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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 South-East Asia, the PMDS is Sri Lanka, where WHO's Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO) 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 ».
Sri Lanka has approximately 21 million people. In 2002 there were an estimated 18 000 new cases of cancer (Globocan 2002). Sri Lanka has a National Cancer Control Programme, a National Cancer Institute and seven centres with radiotherapy facilities (one centre is private). Patient demand for cancer therapy far exceeds available services. Cancer prevention, registration, early detection, palliative care, training and civil based cancer society are either limited or not well developed.
Organize, coordinate and report on imPACT review mission; review National Cancer Control Programme; coordinate preparation of PACT Model Demonstration Site (PMDS) project proposals; coordinate interagency collaboration and resource mobilization and deployment during PMDS project execution.
The final draft of a comprehensive National Cancer Control Plan is under review and a National Advisory Committee for the Cancer Plan has been re-established. A consensus-achieving Cancer Control Workshop is to be conducted at the end of 2009 once the Cancer Control Plan is officially endorsed by the Ministry of Health.
Prevention activities are ongoing and general awareness programmes for children, teachers and health volunteers in villages and Estate sector workers are being conducted. Educational materials (DVDs) are also being developed. The National Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Centre is under construction and will offer Pap and mammography screening. The Ministry of Health has been collaborating with IARC on cervical and breast cancer screening programmes for teachers throughout the island. The first programme was conducted in October 2008. The National Cancer Control Programme has initiated the computerization of cancer data from screening and outreach clinics.
The National Cancer Institute Maharagama acquired a Linac in 2008, and new radiotherapy units will be established in the short-term future in 2 provinces. Palliative care as a speciality (Certificate and Diploma) will be soon offered at the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM). Research to assess the socio-economic impact of cancer therapy has been initiated.
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 development by the IAEA/PACT and other partners.
Following the signing of the WHO/IAEA Joint Programme on Cancer Control, IAEA/PACT and its partners, together with Sri Lankan 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.
Improved cancer survival rate; increased access to treatment for cancer patients; organized screening; earlier detection of cervical and oral 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, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO), WHO Country Office, IARC (WHO), International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR), International Union Against Cancer (UICC), the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Tata Memorial Centre (India). PACT hopes to involve the Open Society Institute (OSI) and others, especially the private sector.
For more information on Sri Lanka, please contact Ms Maria Villanueva.
