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PACT and its Partners are developing multidisciplinary cancer capacity building projects called PACT Model Demonstration Sites (PMDS) in all regions. For the above region, the PMDS is in Nicaragua [Press Release on collaboration between the country and IAEA/PACT], where WHO's Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO) plays the leading role as a PACT Partner.
Support Nicaraguan National Cancer Society, cancer registration, cervical cancer early detection, professional and public education, cancer diagnostics and treatment capacity building, and palliation. For information on general focus of PMDS click here ».
Nicaragua has 5.7 million people. In 2002 there were an estimated 5,000 new cases of cancer (Globocan 2002). Nicaragua has a single cancer treatment centre, the Centro Nacional de Radioterapia in Managua. Patient demand for cancer therapy far exceeds available services. Cancer prevention, registration, early detection, palliation, and civil-based cancer society are either limited or not well developed.
Organize, coordinate and report on imPACT review mission; coordinate preparation of imPACT report and PACT Model Demonstration Site (PMDS) project work plans; coordinate interagency collaboration and resource deployment and mobilization during PMDS project execution.
Report of the imPACT mission, including recommendations, submitted to the counterparts in the country. Minister of Health has accepted the report's recommendations. A mission was scheduled in April 2008 to follow up on the recommendations made in July 2007. A National Cancer Control Plan is in the process of being finalized. The next steps include the ratification of a National Steering Committee, the nomination of the Committee Members and Chairman. The Equinox unit will be installed at the Centro Nacional de Radioterapia this summer. Several proposals for planning and funding individual projects on early detection of cervical cancer, on upgrading the cancer registry, on developing palliative care capacity, and on expanding the radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services across the country are under consideration by the IAEA/PACT and other partners.
IAEA/PACT and its partners will coordinate the formulation of interagency work plans on strengthening all areas of cancer control, each agency according to their mandate and areas of competence. PACT in coordination with IAEA internal stakeholders will support national counterparts in implementing work plans and developing proposals for funding. Having already secured grants totalling $200,000 for the Nicaragua PMDS, PACT will continue its fundraising efforts.
Increased access to treatment for cancer patients; increased screening for cervical cancer; earlier detection of cervical cancer with improved opportunity for and delivery of curative treatment; improved public awareness of and knowledge about cancer early detection and its prevention; enhanced palliative programme; and expansion of radiotherapy centres.
PACT works with WHO-Geneva, WHO Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO), WHO Country Office, IARC (WHO), the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the International Network for Cancer Training and Research (INCTR), PATH, MDS Nordion (Canada) and Best Medical International (US and Canada). PACT hopes to involve the Open Society Institute (OSI) and others, especially the private sector.
For more information on Nicaragua, please contact Ms. Maria Villanueva.
