Summary - Building Radiation Medicine Capacity in LMICs: to Address the Rising Cancer Burden 12.14.22

Building Radiation Therapy Capacity in LMICs - Summary by Miriam Schneidman, World Bank Group

(Presentations Files attached below

• Radiation therapy is critical to cancer treatment, with 50% of diagnosed patients requiring radiation therapy.
• Current capacity to provide radiation therapy in LMICs is limited with patients often travelling to other countries for treatment. The situation is dire n Africa where roughly 80% of the population has no access.
• Radiotherapy and imaging are cost-effective interventions with a good rate of return ($12 per $1 invested) on investments in comprehensive scale up of treatment, imaging, and quality of care.
• Affordability remains a big challenge with the typical treatment estimated to cost about US$1,500, which is way beyond the means of most LMICs.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is supporting LMICs to expand access to radiation therapy.  This includes assistance to carry out technical assessments, procure equipment, train personnel, and address safety and security.  The Rays of Hope Project is a notable example of how IAEA is supporting LMICs, in collaboration with multiple stakeholders (e.g., WHO, private sector).
• Kenya represents a good example of a country making steady progress in improving access to radiation therapy with persistent gaps and unmet needs.  Kenya participates in the Rays of Hope Project, has benefitted from IAEA technical and financial support, with plans underway to strengthen the provision of services in a devolved healthcare system, improve financial protection, and identify innovative strategies, such as PPPs.
• The World Bank has supported LMICs to improve access to prevention/treatment (e.g., El Salvador, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu); strengthen cancer registries (East Africa); and procure linear accelerators (i.e., Serbia); with IFC supporting private sector SMEs by providing financial solutions via the African Medical Equipment Facility (AMEF).  Opportunities for future investments include: (i) strengthening human resources (radiation therapy, oncology, pathology); (ii) supporting diagnostic imaging capacity; (iii) exploring feasibility of including cost-effective radiation therapy interventions into basic benefit packages; and (iv) supporting private sector institutions in LMICs to expand access through the IFC.
• Partnerships are critical to expanding access and leveraging the comparative advantages of different institutions and stakeholders. Given the rising burden of disease, there is a need to identify innovative solutions for progressively improving access to radiation therapy in different country contexts.