PACT in Asia (Western Pacific)

IAEA/PACT and its partners are developing multidisciplinary cancer capacity building projects called PACT Model Demonstration Sites (PMDS) in all WHO regions. In the Western Pacific, the PMDS is Vietnam, where WHO's Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) plays the leading role as a PACT Partner.

Vietnam

PMDS Focus

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 ».

Cancer Situation, Existing Capability and Unmet Needs

Vietnam has a population of 84 million people and an estimated 75,000 new cases of cancer per year (Globocan 2002). There are 10 radiotherapy facilities in Vietnam, but it aspires to establish treatment centres in all cities at an estimated cost of $140 million. Further programme development in cancer prevention, registration, early detection, palliation and a cancer society are all needed.

PACT's Logistic Role

Organize, coordinate and report on imPACT review mission; coordinate preparation of imPACT report and PACT Model Demonstration Site (PMDS) project proposals and work plans; coordinate interagency collaboration and resource mobilization and deployment during PMDS project execution.

Resources Committed/Pledged

  • WHO $300,000 for tobacco control and other non-communicable diseases
  • Vietnam support of unspecified amount for radiotherapy capacity building
  • Government of India has donated a new Bhabhatron II Cobalt 60 machine
  • One-month PACT consultancy to develop specific project proposals in cancer registration, palliative care, breast and cervical cancer screening (Aug-Sept 2007)
  • Registration support from IARC ($25,000)
  • PACT staff time and travel as well as external experts as needed ($60,000)

Current Status

Vietnam initiated its cancer control planning several years ago with WHO support. The National Cancer Control Programme was approved by the Government of Vietnam in July 2007 and has been operating since January 2008. Report on October 2006 imPACT mission, including recommendations, submitted to Minister of Health of Vietnam. Government has established a national cancer steering committee. The Ministry of Health and other key national stakeholders and PACT Partner organizations will form working groups to plan and carry out activities in their fields of competence. Fundraising efforts have already begun.

Resources Needed

  • Support for cancer registration in collaboration with IARC
  • Support for cancer prevention and early detection (estimated $1-2 million)
  • Support for palliation (estimated $350,000)
  • Support for cancer civil society efforts (estimated $50,000)
  • Expand diagnostic and treatment services ($3-5 million/new centre)

Next Steps

IAEA/PACT and its partners, together with Vietnamese 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.

Expected Outcomes

Effective implementation of national cancer control programme; organized screening; earlier detection of common cancers with improved opportunity for and delivery of curative treatment; increased treatment of cancer patients; improved cancer registration; improved public awareness of and knowledge about cancer early detection and its prevention; reinvigorated cancer society.

Interagency Partners

PACT works with WHO Headquarters, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO), IARC (WHO), American Cancer Society (USA), International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and the Tata Memorial Centre (India). PACT hopes to involve the Open Society Institute (OSI), US National Cancer Institute (NCI), Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) (USA) and others, especially the private sector.

Key Member State Counterpart Organizations

Responsible PACT Officer

For more information on Vietnam, please contact Mr. Dan Malin.

Potential Centres of Excellence or mentors in the region

  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore

Other countries in the region requesting assistance

  • Malaysia
  • Mongolia
  • Philippines

Current donors to PACT in the region