Aga Khan boosts govt’s efforts to treat cancer

GOVERNMENT’S efforts to improve cancer treatment have received a fresh impetus as the Aga Khan Health Service Tanzania and Elekta signed an agreement to purchase and install radiation therapy equipment for the cancer care centre in Dar es Salaam worth 25bn/-.

The equipment will now add the number from seven to nine in the country. Speaking with the ‘Daily News’, Dr Harrison Chuwa, a Consultant Oncologist at the Aga Khan Hospital and Manager for Tanzania Comprehensive Cancer Project (TCCP), noted the machines will attend up to about 100 cancer patients daily.

“The purchasing and installation of such equipment will aid government’s effort in the fight against cancer. There were seven machines countrywide previously, but now we have nine, out of which five are located in Dar es Salaam, where four are at Ocean Road (Cancer Institute), while there is one at Mwanza and another at Ifakara,” he said.

Dr Chuwa highlighted that the equipment, including two linear accelerator models: Versa HD from Elekta with HexaPOD systems and the latest technology of Multi leaf Collimator, which can allow all types of radiation therapy treatment techniques, 3D CRT, VMAT and IMRT.

“It includes stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for small tumours requiring the utmost precision radiation treatment. The Versa HD linear accelerators provide highdefinition, ultra-fast beam shaping through agility… with stereotactic, it identifies small or critically located targets, measured in millimetres, to offer a perfect solution.” The Director for Health, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Dr Gijs Walvaren, noted that they aim to promote quality healthcare and increase patient safety through investment in various thematic areas.

He mentioned a few areas, including equipment, technology, well-trained and competent staff coupled with JCI accreditation, followed by upcoming OECI accreditation.

Dr Walvaren said the centre will complement the government’s efforts in expanding cancer care services to Tanzanians and reverse medical tourism across the region. During the media interview, Mr Feras Al Hasan, the Vice-President of Service Intercontinental, said, “At Elekta, we have a united purpose that motivates us as a company and as individuals to bring hope for everyone dealing with cancer.

It drives us towards our vision of a world where everyone can access the best cancer care. And we plan to get there through our mission to improve patient lives by working with our customers and partners. As a leading innovator of precision radiation therapy solutions, Elekta is committed to ensuring every patient has access to the best cancer care possible.”

There is a 28 million projected increase of new cancer cases per year by 2040. As a result, cancer is growing twice as fast as other diseases and is likely to become the leading cause of death globally in a few decades.

There is a shortage of 15,000 linacs globally and the gap is needed to close.

Studies show 50-60 per cent of all cancer patients will need ration therapy but lack access to treatment. In addition, low and middleincome countries have 80 per cent of the global cancer burden but have access to only 32 per cent of global radiation therapy resources.