Rays of Hope
The Rays of Hope initiative aims to support Member State efforts to increase access to safe and secure radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging services, thereby reducing cancer deaths worldwide. The global cancer burden is expected to grow to 30 million new cases and 16.3 million deaths annually by 2040, with the disease placing its heaviest burden on low and middle income countries.
As of the end of 2023, the procurement and delivery of equipment such as linear accelerators, SPECT-CT machines, a cyclotron, brachytherapy equipment, quality assurance/control equipment and X-ray equipment was under way to support the cancer care capabilities of Benin, Kenya, Malawi and Senegal, while also ensuring the safe and secure use of radioactive sources for medical purposes. In addition, fellows from Rays of Hope ‘first wave’ African countries were undergoing training as medical physicists, nuclear medicine technologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, radiation therapists, radiopharmacists and oncology nurses.
The first Rays of Hope anchor centres were established as capacity building and knowledge hubs for their respective regions. These centres will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the progress achieved in the global fight against cancer can be sustained and scaled up for a future of equitable cancer care for all. The Agency is supporting the centres by expanding their capacities to conduct critical work more effectively.
The private sector emerged as a crucial partner, with Elekta, GE HealthCare and Siemens Healthineers signing Practical Arrangements with the Agency to improve access to cancer care in underserved countries. An in-kind contribution from GE HealthCare in the form of clinical training for nuclear medicine and radiology practitioners in low and middle income countries will support much-needed capacity building.
Anchor centres
Anchor centres strengthen the capacities of neighbouring countries; create opportunities for regional, subregional and interregional advancement; and support innovation. The first five Rays of Hope anchor centres are:
- Bab El Oued Teaching Hospital and Pierre and Marie Curie Centre, Algeria
- King Hussein Cancer Center, Jordan
- National Oncology Institute, Morocco
- Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute, Pakistan
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Türkiye
One Year of Rays of Hope
Too many preventable cancer deaths are occurring in developing countries. The IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative is working to change this by bringing access to cancer care where it is needed most.