Concluding an active year of imPACT Review Assessment missions in IAEA Member States, the IAEA Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) conducted successive missions in Lebanon and Pakistan in late November and early December 2013. Upon request from these Member States' national health authorities, the IAEA conducted an imPACT mission to Lebanon from 25 to 29 November 2013 and Pakistan from 2 to 6 December 2013. Expert teams participated in these missions, working in close collaboration with the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, both partners in the IAEA's activities in cancer control.
Lebanon
The mission to Lebanon noted the Member State's strengths in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and indicated areas for improvement in cancer control such as cancer registration, prevention, early detection and palliative care. During the mission, experts reviewed cancer-related services at eleven hospitals and undertook site visits to the National Cancer Registry, pathology clinics, and facilities offering primary health care and palliative care services.
Pakistan
The mission to Pakistan covered Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, with site visits to major public and private cancer hospitals, cancer registries, a primary health care clinic outside of Islamabad, a hospice, and education and training facilities. These sites provided a cross-section of the national cancer control capacity and needs in Pakistan. Pakistan has capacity in cancer surgery, paediatric oncology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, and palliative care. However, the expert team noted there is a shortage of human resources for treatment.
Funding
The imPACT mission to Lebanon was implemented through funds allocated from the IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative while the Pakistan mission was implemented through the IAEA Technical Cooperation Project RAS6069, Supporting Comprehensive Cancer Control in the Asia and the Pacific Region.
Reports
The imPACT mission reports will be delivered to the respective national health authorities of both Member States in early 2014, and each report will contain findings and technical recommendations to advance cancer control in the Member State.
Overview
PACT conducted twelve imPACT Review missions to IAEA Member States in 2013, including missions to Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Cambodia, Cameroon, Haiti, Jamaica, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Tunisia.
Background
imPACT Reviews provide an evaluation of a country's readiness to implement cancer control programmes, conducting an assessment of the national cancer burden and offering recommendations on developing the cancer control capacity. The recommendations can then be used to produce or augment a National Cancer Control Programme, which may support national and international stakeholders in the development and implementation of effective measures that respond to the cancer control needs of the country.