Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a significant stride towards combating cancer, The Gambia has made notable progress in establishing comprehensive cancer control measures. This development comes through a collaborative effort involving the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The international team conducted an imPACT Review, which included six months of desk research and virtual consultations, culminating in on-site assessments in The Gambia at the end of March. The review aimed to evaluate the national capacities and requirements, laying the groundwork for The Gambia’s first National Cancer Control Strategy.

The comprehensive evaluation covered the entire spectrum of cancer care, crucial for facilitating the establishment of The Gambia’s first radiotherapy facility. This facility is essential for treating over 1,000 new cancer patients annually, according to Globocan 2022 data.

Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, The Gambia’s Minister of Health, emphasized the strategic significance of the imPACT Review. He noted that the findings would help finalize the National Cancer Control Strategy and prioritize cancer interventions over the next five years. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the health system to ensure equitable, affordable, and comprehensive cancer care for all citizens.

The mission featured experts predominantly from the African region, including Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. This underscores the importance of South-South cooperation in addressing regional health challenges. Ghana and Kenya have been identified as potential training hubs for expanding The Gambia’s oncology workforce.

During the mission, the expert team engaged with key stakeholders, including government officials, cancer care facility personnel, regulatory bodies, and civil society representatives. Discussions also took place with international partners active in The Gambia, exploring opportunities for collaboration in supporting the health sector.

In preparation for the upcoming radiotherapy facility, radiation safety assessments were conducted to ensure the safe utilization of ionizing radiation in healthcare facilities. Jovica Bosnjak, a Radiation Safety Infrastructure Specialist at the IAEA, stressed the importance of establishing robust national radiation safety infrastructure to safeguard workers, patients, and the public.

A two-day national stakeholders’ meeting, facilitated by the expert team, incorporated key findings from the imPACT Review into the final draft of The Gambia’s National Cancer Control Strategy. The strategy emphasizes prevention, early detection, and improved diagnostic and treatment services, aligning with global initiatives and WHO directives.

The imPACT Review findings will serve as a baseline for expanding access to cancer diagnostic and treatment services through the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme and Rays of Hope initiative. Neil Jarvis, IAEA Programme Management Officer for The Gambia, highlighted the significance of these recommendations in informing priority programmes and securing funding for the proposed radiotherapy facility.

In line with the Rays of Hope initiative’s objective of fostering impactful and sustainable change, the IAEA remains committed to supporting countries like The Gambia in achieving their health sector developmental goals.

This collaborative effort marks a pivotal moment in The Gambia’s journey towards enhancing cancer care and establishing a robust healthcare infrastructure capable of addressing the country’s cancer burden.