IAEA and Qatar Partner to Boost Cancer Care in the Middle East

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) have formalized a new partnership, signing a $600,000 agreement aimed at enhancing technical cooperation, particularly by strengthening radiation medicine services in Syria.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly by Mr. Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of QFFD, and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. Her Excellency Dr. Maryam bin Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Vice-Chairperson of the QFFD Board of Directors, was also present.

Revitalizing Diagnostics in Damascus

The substantial Qatari contribution will be used to establish advanced nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging services at the Al-Biruni Hospital in Damascus. These improved services are projected to benefit over 3,000 patients every year.

The medical infrastructure in Syria has been severely damaged by more than a decade of conflict, hindering the provision of long-term disease management, including for cancer. Despite this, cancer incidence continues to rise.

• Breast cancer, for example, is the most common cancer among Syrian women, accounting for about one-third of cases and resulting in a 20% mortality rate.
• Nuclear and radiation-based techniques, such as PET-CT scans, are vital tools for the early detection and treatment of tumours, which dramatically improves patient survival rates.

Qatar’s Commitment to Well-being and Dignity

Mr. Al-Sulaiti emphasized that the investment is about more than just medical hardware. "The introduction of nuclear medicine capacity in a public hospital in Damascus represents more than a medical achievement—it embodies our mission to strengthen health systems as a foundation for restoring well-being and dignity," he stated.

Director General Grossi welcomed the support, noting, "We thank Qatar for this generous contribution to improve cancer care in the region. Early diagnosis saves lives, and we welcome this donation from Qatar to support the establishment of comprehensive cancer services in Syria."

The agreement is the first of its kind between the IAEA and the QFFD, a governmental body dedicated to Qatar’s international development and foreign aid efforts.

Dr. Mudar Al-Okla, Director General of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission, underscored the critical need: "As our country works to rebuild national healthcare, revitalizing radiation medicine services is a priority."

This project is part of the IAEA’s global initiative, 'Rays of Hope', which aims to bridge the worldwide gap in access to nuclear and radiation medicine. Since 2022, the initiative has mobilized over €90 million and is currently supporting more than 90 countries.

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