KENYA—The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) renowned as the ‘Atoms for Peace and Development Agency’, has donated cancer diagnostic and treatment equipment to advance Kenya’s oncology management.
Kenyan Ambassador to Austria, Amb. Mary Mugwanja revealed that the US$4.31 million Linac machines would arrive in the country by July 2023.
She also added that the country would also benefit from the establishment of a nuclear pollution monitoring program in three coastal counties, covering major pollutants and ocean acidification, monitoring plastic pollution, and finding practical solutions for plastic management in Kenya.
Amb. Mugwanja articulated that Kenya has benefited and will continue to benefit from her collaboration with the IAEA in health, climate-smart agriculture, technical capacity building, and training.
The IAEA is the organization within the United Nations (UN) family mandated to strengthen the global nuclear safety and security framework.
The organization based out of Vienna, Austria, also coordinates international activities in nuclear safety and security, including through training, technical advice, peer reviews, and other advisory services to member states.
Set up in 1957 as the world’s center for cooperation in the nuclear field, the IAEA works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
Specifically, the IAEA has over 40 years of experience in supporting countries in applying nuclear technologies for health, especially the development of cancer diagnostic and treatment using atomic energy sources.
Amb. Mugwanja noted that Kenya, with support from IAEA, was recognized as having successfully used nuclear technology to increase smallholder productivity by using labeled fertilizer to measure and improve nutrient use efficiency and biological nitrogen fixation of improved bean varieties.
Kenya has also received nuclear-based equipment to measure soil moisture evaporation and crop transpiration to improve water and nutrient use efficiency, and greenhouse gas measurement systems to determine the impact of cropping systems on climate change.
This information is critical in determining appropriate climate change adaptation practices.
Kenya joined the IAEA Board of Governors in September 2022 for a two-year term and IAEA will her in the use of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes and facilitates the transfer of such technology and knowledge to member states in a sustainable manner.
“Kenya is proud to be a member of the IAEA and the agency is committed to continuing to promote a strong and sustainable global nuclear safety and security framework in member states, working to protect people, society, and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation,” said Amb. Mugwanja.
Building partnerships in oncology care development projects in the country
The International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) report for 2018 estimated 47,887 new cancer cases annually in Kenya, with a mortality of 32,987, a 29% increase since 2012.
The agency also highlighted that seven out of ten cancers were diagnosed late, resulting in some cancers, such as oesophageal cancer, having mortality rates of more than 99%
In 2016, a team of cancer experts from the IAEA, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the IARC conducted a comprehensive assessment, called an imPACT Review.
Furthermore, imPACT assessed the national cancer control system and its needs at both national and provincial levels.
It was chiefly coordinated by the IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT), which helped guide the development of Kenya’s Cancer Control Strategy for 2017-2021.
ImPACT noted that the present shortage of public facilities, cancer patients face long waiting times for treatment, as most cannot afford private healthcare.
Eventually, increasing the availability of publicly funded cancer care services would help reduce mortality rates and costs associated with long-term treatment.
The expansion of Kenya’s cancer services is supported through a joint IAEA, WHO, and IARC initiative, aimed at building partnerships and sharing expertise and resources.
The team noted that they were committed to supporting the further development and implementation of evidence-based programs for cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Currently, initiatives promoting excellence in Healthcare Education and Training as well as developing a Comprehensive Cancer Care Services network are in use thanks to IAEA’s PACT continued support and insights in the country.
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