Niamey: Cancer is a growing healthcare challenge in Niger, with over 11,000 new cases and more than 8,800 cancer-related deaths reported in 2022. Radiotherapy, a treatment needed in nearly half of all cancer cases, remains in short supply in the country, and even those who can afford access to it are let down by out-of-date equipment. Through its Rays of Hope initiative, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is supporting efforts to strengthen radiotherapy services in Niger, aiming to expand access to cancer care where it is needed most.

According to EMM, the IAEA supported Niger in establishing a new cancer treatment facility with state-of-the-art equipment, including a medical linear accelerator (LINAC), a computed tomography-simulator, an advanced treatment planning system, dosimetry equipment, and related accessories. In 2021, Niger established its first-ever radiotherapy facility, the National Cancer Centre, after more than a decade of preparation, support, and technical expertise from the IAEA. Since its inauguration that year, the centre has used a Cobalt-60 machine and a conventional simulator to care for cancer patients. However, as cancer cases rose, so did the need for equipment and services. The IAEA responded by expanding its support to Niger via Rays of Hope.

Through the Rays of Hope initiative, the IAEA addresses the urgent need for radiotherapy by providing technical support, capacity building, and state-of-the-art technology, as noted by IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of Department of Technical Cooperation Hau Liu during the inauguration ceremony for the new center in October. Advanced radiotherapy technology will contribute to saving countless lives by improving the treatment of cancer patients and enhancing Niger’s capacity to provide timely, precise, and effective care to those in need.

Along with helping secure radiotherapy equipment, the IAEA has also provided expertise and assistance to build up Niger’s radiation medicine workforce. Over 32 radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation therapy technologists, and oncology nurses working at the National Cancer Centre have participated in IAEA trainings. For over 60 years, our radiation oncologists and medical physicists have worked closely with countries to help establish and expand radiotherapy facilities. Among other things, we provided expertise on design, equipment selection, specification, and procurement; capacity building activities; training; and quality assurance, said May Abdel-Wahab, Director of the IAEA Division of Human Health.

While the world has seen an 18 percent increase in radiotherapy machines since 2015, the recently released report of the IAEA-led Lancet Oncology Commission on Radiotherapy and Theranostics shows that significant gaps remain. Rays of Hope support to Niger comes at a timely moment for a country seeking to build up its cancer care infrastructure and services. The IAEA’s support also included facilitating an effective partnership between Niger and the Islamic Development Bank, which provided the financial support to Niger in the procurement of the LINAC, said Shaukat Abdulrazak, Director of the IAEA’s Division for Africa. Under Rays of Hope, the United States of America has also supported Niger by contributing to the procurement of the computed-tomography and the training of health professionals.