Health minister Chheang Ra met with an IAEA delegation, led by their deputy director-general and head of the group’s Department of Technical Cooperation Liu Hua, on March 20. Health Ministry
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has committed to supporting Cambodia’s Ministry of Health to establish a national plan for cancer management, in order to contribute to a reduction in the Kingdom’s mortality rate from the disease.
Health minister Chheang Ra met with an IAEA delegation, led by their deputy director-general and head of the group’s Department of Technical Cooperation Liu Hua, on March 20 to discuss strengthening cooperation, according to the ministry’s press release.
During the meeting, Ra thanked the IAEA for its support, noting that the IMPACT Review Mission team has assessed the Kingdom’s efforts against cancer. The assessment is an integral part of the IAEA, as nuclear technology plays an important role in medicine, especially the fight against the disease.
“Along with this support, some challenges need to be resolved. We have requested that the IAEA help support a means of establishing and expanding our infrastructure, and help to train skilled human capital in the cancer department,” he said.
In addition, he asked that the IAEA supply medical equipment and help monitor and maintain them. He also suggested that the agency establish regulatory systems for the use of radiation devices, as well as the disposal of radioactive hazardous waste for the state and the private sectors.
Liu Hua expressed his admiration for the ministry’s long-term vision, adding that he will lend his full support to the requests, according to the press release.
“We are deeply committed to joining the ministry to establish a national plan for cancer management, as well as the implementation of piecemeal action plans and effective monitoring mechanisms,” he was quoted as saying.
Nuth Sambath, president of the Institute of Medicine, Biology and Agriculture at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that the IAEA’s support will be crucial, as the Kingdom currently has a limited capacity to treat cancer. Cambodia needs more radiation equipment to treat the disease.
He added that the IAEA has previously assisted the Kingdom’s efforts to increase its institutional capabilities and human resources in the management of cancer, especially in radiotherapy treatment.
“The support of the IAEA is of great importance. We are increasing primary healthcare, and want to make the treatment of cancer more effective,” he said.
Sambath explained that the establishment of a national plan for cancer management is likely to increase the survival rate of those diagnosed with the disease.
The ministry said the IAEA has been assisting Cambodia with cancer treatment since 2013, including the construction of a cancer centre at Calmette Hospital, and the provision of technical support and equipment.
According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Cancer Observatory report, about 18,000 new people develop cancer every year in Cambodia. By 2040, this figure is expected to rise to nearly 32,000 a year.
Liver cancer accounts for 25 per cent of cases in men, followed by lung cancer at 14.5 per cent and colon cancer at 9.3 per cent.
In women, breast cancer is most common, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of cases, and followed by cervical cancer at 11.5 per cent, and liver cancer at 10.8 per cent.
