With the cancer fatalities predicted to rise by 60% in the upcoming two decades, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced launching measures to bridge gap in the cancer treatment in poor and underdeveloped countries.
Reportedly, the IAEA has its initial focus on Africa, as the country records high rate of cancer fatalities due to lack of access to treatments like radiotherapy and life-saving nuclear medications.
To deal with this situation, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General, has reportedly announced ‘Rays of Hope’, an initiative by IAEA on the eve of an African heads of state summit in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.
Apparently, out of the 55 member countries in the African Union, nearly 20 nations do not have provision of radiotherapy machine for the treatment of cancer.
Rafael commented that people living in the underdeveloped nations are dying because of cancer, which in most of the cases is curable and treatable, and providing treatment for the same in these nations is their moral duty.
He added that the initiative will enable organizations to save lives and support communities and countries that depend on the health of their people.
As per credible reports, the launch event took place on World Cancer Day and was co-hosted by Macky Sall, President of Senegal; Didier Mazenga, Regional Integration Minister; and Democratic Republic of Congo and incoming Chairperson of the African Union, speaking on behalf of Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, present Chairperson.
Furthermore, Grossi, in a joint statement with General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization, mentioned that cancer treatment disparity is prevalent across the world but is comparatively acute in Africa.
IAEA and WHO, along with the Rays of Hope, claimed in a unison, that the organizations are currently aiming towards curbing the cancer care disparity and speeding up the achievement of UN Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030.
Source Credits:-https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/life/story/IAEA_launches_drive_to_bridge_big_global_gap_in_cancer_care-SNG_285253184/