Mozambique is Prioritizing Cancers Affecting Women and Children

The imPACT Review experts carried out a comprehensive assessment of Mozambique’s capacities and needs across the continuum of cancer care. This involved data gathering and analysis before a week long mission in Mozambique in May where the team visited the Ministry of Health, hospitals, health centres, universities, United Nations partners and civil society organizations in Maputo and Nampula.

Many of the international experts participating in the mission came from the African region (Ghana, Kenya and Cape Verde) or Brazil, underscoring the importance of South-South cooperation in addressing regional health priorities. Experts from Portugal and the United States of America also participated in the mission.  Connections between these countries are expected to continue beyond the imPACT Review mission, as locations in Brazil are already used as training sites for the expanding oncology workforce of Mozambique. The MD Anderson Cancer Center has a long-standing collaboration with Mozambique and during the mission, the MDACC expert provided insight and expressed their intention to further strengthen cooperation with the country.

Toma Omofoye, the Director of Breast Imaging Global Oncology Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center who participated in the imPACT mission, said: “For many years, we have been collaborating with Mozambican leaders and providers in advancing cancer care, and this impact review process is a critical step in our mission to eliminate cancer. Every insight we gain and every initiative that is implemented has the potential to elevate patient outcomes and reshape cancer care on a global scale.”

At the end of the week, the imPACT Review team presented their key recommendations to the Ministry of Health. These included the need to further integrate and coordinate cancer services with HIV-AIDS, child and maternal health and primary care programmes; strengthen the procurement and supply chain for drugs used in chemotherapy and palliative care; increase training; optimize current diagnostic and treatment capacity; and improve cancer care referral pathways. In addition, the government was advised to strengthen quality assurance and quality control systems in line with international standards and guidelines covering diagnostics and treatment.

Last year, Mozambique joined the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative with the aim of widening access to cancer diagnostic and treatment services across the country. At present, one radiotherapy unit in Maputo is available for 29 million people.  Since 2009,14 specialists at Maputo Central Hospital  have been trained in radiation oncology and medical physics through the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme, with the aim of strengthening radiotherapy services.

The review mission also provided an opportunity for an IAEA radiation safety expert to assess the regulatory infrastructure in Mozambique for ensuring the safe use of ionizing radiation in healthcare. Also, during the mission, the IAEA presented the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme beyond cancer to national authorities, explaining how the country can benefit from IAEA support in agriculture and fisheries and in combatting zoonotic diseases. Agriculture is the main economic activity in Mozambique according to the World Bank. Earlier this year, the World Bank announced a US $100 million grant for a four-year programme aimed at improving healthcare and nutrition services for around 4.6 million people in Mozambique, especially women, children and adolescents.

Imen Bentouhami, IAEA Programme Management Officer for Mozambique, said: “This mission was crucial for informing decision-making regarding priority needs and optimizing the use of IAEA support. Synergies within the technical cooperation programme will direct IAEA support towards these priority needs, ensuring the most cost-effective use of available resources.”