TANZANIA – Aga Khan Health Service Tanzania and Elekta have signed an agreement to purchase and install radiation therapy equipment for the cancer care centre in Dar es Salaam worth TSh25 billion (US$10.69m).
The equipment will now add the number from seven to nine in the country, The Daily News reports.
Dr Harrison Chuwa, a Consultant Oncologist at the Aga Khan Hospital and Manager for Tanzania Comprehensive Cancer Project (TCCP), noted the machines will attend up to about 100 cancer patients daily.
“The purchasing and installation of such equipment will aid the government’s effort in the fight against cancer. There were seven machines countrywide previously, but now we have nine, out of which five are located in Dar es Salaam, where four are at Ocean Road (Cancer Institute), while there is one at Mwanza and another at Ifakara,” he said.
Dr Chuwa highlighted that the equipment, including two linear accelerator models: Versa HD from Elekta with HexaPOD systems and the latest technology of Multi-leaf Collimator, which can allow all types of radiation therapy treatment techniques, 3D CRT, VMAT and IMRT.
“It includes stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for small tumours requiring the utmost precision radiation treatment,” he said.
“The Versa HD linear accelerators provide high definition, ultra-fast beam shaping through agility with stereotactic, it identifies small or critically located targets, measured in millimetres, to offer a perfect solution.”
The Director for Health, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Dr Gijs Walvaren, noted that they aim to promote quality healthcare and increase patient safety through investment in various thematic areas.
He mentioned a few areas, including equipment, technology, well-trained and competent staff coupled with JCI accreditation, followed by upcoming OECI accreditation.
Dr Walvaren said the centre will complement the government’s efforts in expanding cancer care services to Tanzanians and reverse medical tourism across the region.
“At Elekta, we have a united purpose that motivates us as a company and as individuals to bring hope for everyone dealing with cancer,” Mr Feras Al Hasan, the Vice-President of Service Intercontinental, said.
“It drives us towards our vision of a world where everyone can access the best cancer care. And we plan to get there through our mission to improve patient lives by working with our customers and partners.
“As a leading innovator of precision radiation therapy solutions, Elekta is committed to ensuring every patient has access to the best cancer care possible.”
Studies show 50-60 per cent of all cancer patients will need ration therapy but lack access to treatment. In addition, low and middle-income countries have 80 per cent of the global cancer burden but have access to only 32 per cent of global radiation therapy resources.
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