At its 68th General Conference, the IAEA welcomed its latest Rays of Hope Anchor Centre - Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital in Thailand - marking one year of progress since the first five such Centres were established under the Agency's Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative. The initiative seeks to expand access to cancer care where it is needed most. As the fourth Anchor Centre in the Asia-Pacific and tenth overall, the hospital joins a growing network of knowledge and capacity-building hubs, creating opportunities for regional and interregional advances in cancer care.
"Rays of Hope has become one of the most sought-after, demanded, and supported programmes in the history of the IAEA, and this is a recognition of two things: the very practical way the Agency can help countries address cancer and the gravity of the problem," noted IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in his opening remarks to the side event, Realizing Hope for All: Rays of Hope Anchor Centres - One Year On. "Anchor Centres are setting an example because they have decided that they can amplify the care that is possible by reaching out to others who are not as endowed, equipped, and prepared to face this challenge."
First established in 1968, the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital is equipped with technologies and infrastructure to deliver advanced and high-quality cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. Over the years, it has supported the IAEA by providing over 65 experts for various missions, participating in national, regional and interregional radiation medicine technical cooperation projects, and supporting the IAEA's quality assurance methodologies in radiation oncology (Quality Improvement Quality Assurance Team for Radiation Oncology (QUATRO)) and nuclear medicine (Quality Management Audits in Nuclear Medicine Practices (QUANUM)).
In research, the hospital and the IAEA have examined how radiotherapy quality assurance can improve cancer outcomes in low- and middle-income countries and how production and quality control processes for a radiopharmaceutical for prostate cancer can be optimized - to name just two examples. In education and training, it has hosted numerous IAEA courses and workshops, including those on producing and applying radiotherapy agents and radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging through positron emission tomography and gated single-photon emission computed tomography for evaluating ventricular function.
Under Rays of Hope, the hospital will work closely with the IAEA and other Anchor Centres to train radiotherapy, radiology, nuclear medicine and medical physics. It will provide technical expertise to other cancer facilities and organize meetings and workshops on cancer care practices and research. It will also d contribute to developing curricula, academic programmes, and operational strategies for the appropriate use of radiation medicine.
Proud to witness the growth from 5 to 10 #RaysOfHope Anchor Centres centres since our last #IAEAGC.
Today, we welcomed 🇹🇭 @IR_Ramathibodi & I look forward to seeing how our efforts in training, innovation, and quality management will continue to strengthen cancer care 🌎. pic.twitter.com/i8To6DmIp6
— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) September 18, 2024
"Our institution is grounded in the spirit of innovation, adaptability, and being a change agent - we have demonstrated our ability to meet emerging healthcare challenges and will apply that same determination as we contribute to the Rays of Hope mission," said Mr. Artit Ungkanont, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, during the side event's signing ceremony. "We are fully prepared to undertake our role as an IAEA Anchor Centre," he said, adding: "Our institute is poised to serve as a regional hub for healthcare professional training, collaborative research, and establishing protocols that can be implemented in our region."
In subsequent discussions, Anchor Centres representatives highlighted several capacity-building events organized over the past year, while delegates of the countries hosting these facilities welcomed Ramathibodi Hospital as the latest addition.
"Together with the IAEA and with partners around the world, Anchor Centres have organized trainings and workshops within their growing network, underscoring the vital role they play as one of Rays of Hope's pillars", said May Abdel-Wahab, Director of the IAEA Division of Human Health. "Through continued cooperation and support to these leading regional hubs in innovation, research, education, training, and quality assurance, Anchor Centres can help facilitate long-term progress and sustainability in cancer care."
Acknowledging the critical role of Anchor Centres, three dosimetry companies - IBA Dosimetry, PTW-Freiburg, and Standard Imaging- announced financial and in-kind support for the Centres during the 68th General Conference of the IAEA. These contributions will help enhance the Centres' access to accurate and reliable radiation measurement technologies.
The Agency's Realizing Hope for All: Rays of Hope Anchor Centres - One Year On side event held during the 68th IAEA General Conference included representatives from Anchor Centres in each region as well as representatives from IBA Dosimetry, PTW-Freiburg, and Standard Imaging. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)
