Rwanda is enhancing its cancer control measures through a National Cancer Control Plan and strategies to eliminate cervical cancer. The recent international assessment by IAEA, WHO, and IARC recognized progress in cancer services while also highlighting challenges like uneven healthcare distribution. Rwanda’s commitment to cancer prevention, particularly through HPV vaccination efforts, is noteworthy, although reliance on external funding and resource allocation issues remain critical areas for improvement.
Rwanda has made significant progress in combating preventable cancers, enhancing cancer services, and training oncology professionals, as per a recent international review. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in increasing access to comprehensive cancer care throughout the nation. The assessment, conducted by the IAEA, WHO, and IARC, focused on evaluating Rwanda’s capabilities and necessities regarding cancer care and control.
Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, emphasized the timeliness of the review as Rwanda unveils its new National Cancer Control Plan for 2025-2029, along with a strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer. This initiative underlines Rwanda’s commitment to improving cancer prevention and treatment services.
According to 2022 figures from the IARC, Rwanda sees 7,000 new cancer diagnoses and over 4,800 deaths annually. Cervical cancer, primarily driven by the human papillomavirus (HPV), is the most prevalent in women, followed by breast and stomach cancers, while prostate cancer is the leading cancer among men.
From January 20 to 24, a group of experts from IAEA, WHO, and IARC, alongside international colleagues, engaged with national entities and various stakeholders to assess the cancer control landscape in Rwanda. They visited key health facilities and institutions, including the Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital, and the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, to understand the existing healthcare framework.
The team acknowledged Rwanda’s commitment to improving cancer control since the previous imPACT review in 2014, noting ongoing updates to its National Cancer Control Plan. Laura Haskins, a project officer with the IAEA, stated that the NCCP serves as a crucial strategic tool to prioritize cancer within the national health agenda.
The imPACT team applauded Rwanda’s initiatives in cancer prevention, including programmes promoting physical activity, tobacco control, and the HPV vaccination campaign. As the first African nation to introduce the HPV vaccine, Rwanda achieved a first-dose coverage of 90% among girls by age 15 by 2023, and plans to enhance vaccination and screening activities to eliminate cervical cancer.
However, challenges such as uneven distribution of healthcare services and reliance on external funding persist. The team recommended increasing domestic investments in health and advocated for integrating cancer control into broader health programmes to improve service accessibility.
The international team noted that although Rwanda possesses two linear accelerators for radiotherapy, machine downtime due to insufficient servicing staff impedes timely care. Recommendations were made to expand radiotherapy services beyond the capital and to invest in local training for equipment maintenance. Meanwhile, nuclear medicine capabilities are being developed, with calls for enhanced specialist training.
Supporting Rwanda in capacity building for cancer control, the IAEA has aided in increasing human resources and implementing quality assurance measures. Tomoaki Tamaki from the IAEA recounted the expert consultations provided after the 2014 review, which led to establishing the country’s first radiotherapy center in 2019. The IAEA’s 2022 Rays of Hope initiative aims to bolster access to cancer care globally through partnerships that ensure sustainable efforts.
In conclusion, Rwanda’s proactive approach to cancer control demonstrates its commitment to enhancing healthcare services and addressing cervical cancer challenges. Through the implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan and ongoing international collaboration, Rwanda aims to improve access to comprehensive cancer care, although challenges such as resource distribution and funding persist. Continued efforts in prevention, treatment, and healthcare integration are critical for sustaining progress in battling cancer in the nation.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
