AUSTRIA —The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Siemens Healthineers have joined forces to reshape the landscape of cancer diagnosis and treatment, a global challenge that claims the lives of millions annually on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
This landmark partnership will harness the collective technical prowess of both entities to bolster the capacity for cancer diagnosis and therapy in low- and middle-income nations, where access to quality healthcare often remains elusive.
The IAEA’s Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, and Siemens Healthineers CEO, Bernd Montag, have signed a transformative practical arrangement agreement to empower low- and middle-income countries in establishing and reinforcing safe and effective radiation medicine facilities dedicated to cancer diagnosis and treatment.
This groundbreaking initiative will operate within the framework of the IAEA’s “Rays of Hope” endeavor and aligns seamlessly with Siemens Healthineers’ commitment, particularly through its Varian oncology business, to expand healthcare access, transcending geographical boundaries.
Both endeavors share a resolute vision of advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3, which includes the ambitious target of reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030.
Director General Grossi expressed his profound optimism about the collaboration, emphasizing the notable strides already achieved under the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative.
He lauded the engagement of distinguished corporations such as Siemens Healthineers, recognizing their pivotal role in addressing the escalating global cancer crisis. Grossi affirmed, “I’m very grateful for their support, which will help save lives.”
Siemens Healthineers, along with its Varian oncology business, boasts a storied history of cooperation with the IAEA.
This synergy seeks to bridge the gap in cancer care prevalent in many nations, where individuals tragically succumb to the disease due to limited access to potentially life-saving nuclear medicine, diagnostic imaging, and radiotherapy infrastructure.
Bernd Montag, CEO of Siemens Healthineers, underscored the company’s unique position to contribute to comprehensive cancer care along the entire patient journey.
He emphasized that this strategic partnership aligns with their commitment to expanding top-tier healthcare accessibility, transcending geographic constraints.
Montag affirmed, “With our product and service portfolio spanning screening, diagnosis, and therapy, Siemens Healthineers is uniquely positioned to support along the entire cancer pathway. This makes us a strong partner in expanding quality healthcare for everyone, everywhere.”
This collaboration signifies a paradigm shift in how the IAEA collaborates with key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
It extends beyond the provision of equipment, encompassing broader strategies that encompass early detection and cancer treatment.
The scope of this visionary agreement encompasses several critical facets, including the intent to raise awareness regarding the pivotal role of radiation medicine in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
It also entails collaboration in education, training, research, and knowledge dissemination.
The Rays of Hope initiative represents a monumental effort building upon the IAEA’s six decades of nuclear science expertise in diagnosing and treating diverse forms of tumors.
Its mission is to mobilize financial resources, galvanize political will, and foster partnerships to intensify the battle against a scourge that claims countless lives, many of which could have been saved through modern medical technology.
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