The Government of Jordan has expressed its commitment to address the growing cancer burden in the country and plans to launch its first National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) with a related Action Plan for the period 2023-2030. These key documents will be developed based on the findings of an imPACT Review Mission conducted in Jordan from 30 April to 5 May by an international team of cancer experts from the IAEA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
"Cancer is a growing burden in Jordan, and the government recognizes how important it is to strengthen cancer control at every level," said Professor Feras Hawari, Jordan's Minister of Health. "The Ministry requested the IAEA and its partners to conduct an imPACT Review Mission in order to understand progress and gaps since the 2012 imPACT Review and to ensure strategic advances across the cancer control spectrum of interventions," Hawari said.
Jordan had 11,559 new cancer cases in 2020 and 6,190 cancer deaths, according to IARC's GLOBOCAN estimates. In line with global trends, the burden is expected to increase, with 21,509 new cases predicted annually by the year 2040 according to IARC.
The experts participating in an imPACT Review Mission conduct a comprehensive situational analysis of cancer control in a country and provide prioritized phased recommendations for follow up actions at the national level. After months of virtual preparation and engagement with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, the team of 18 international experts travelled to the capital Amman, and the towns of Irbid and Zarqa to visit and observe primary care and tertiary level facilities, engaging with a broad number of stakeholders and participating in strategic planning for better cancer control in Jordan.
"The imPACT assessment yielded concrete technical recommendations for Jordan, including, in alignment with the IAEA's Rays of Hope initiative, suggestions for improvements in multimodality medical imaging and radiation therapy. These are highly relevant measures that will most benefit the cancer patient population of Jordan," said Miriam Mikhail Lette, Radiologist at the IAEA Division of Human Health.
Rays of Hope is a flagship IAEA initiative to increase access to radiotherapy in countries where radiotherapy is unavailable or insufficient to meet demand.
"IARC's role in evaluating cancer prevention and early detection is essential to ensure that effective evidence-based strategies are in place to support the NCCP and reduce the burden of cancer in the country," said Andre Carvalho, Scientist at IARC's Early Detection Prevention and Infections Section.
The mission visited the Al Basheer Hospital public hospital complex and the King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC), which has been designated an IAEA Collaborating Centre for Cancer Initiatives, as well as the Royal Medical Services and University Hospitals. KHCC has indicated a strong interest in participating in the IAEA's Rays of Hope initiative as an anchor centre for the region.
Team members held strategic planning meetings with government officials, clinicians and civil society on key priority areas, including cancer registration and surveillance, palliative care, cancer prevention and early detection, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and access to cancer services for refugees and other vulnerable populations in Jordan.
"Success in cancer prevention and control depends on political will, country-led action investments, and global solidarity, as well as sustainable and adaptable partnerships. The commitment from all partners participating in the Jordan imPACT mission, including WHO, presents a unique opportunity not to be lost," said Dr Jameela Al-Rabi, WHO Representative in Jordan.
During the debriefing of the preliminary findings, Minister Hawari underscored the importance of initiating strategic actions, e.g., early detection of cancers, strengthening cancer treatment guidelines, ensuring access to essential medicines and strengthening the cancer workforce. Dr Khaled Toukan, Chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, highlighted the important role of Jordan's nuclear reactor in providing medical isotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Dr Toukan recently signed Jordan's Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the period of 2023-2027 with the IAEA. A CPF is the frame of reference for the planning of technical cooperation between a Member State and the IAEA and identifies priority areas where the transfer of nuclear technology and technical cooperation resources will be directed to support national development goals.
The imPACT team and staff from Al Bashir Hospital and Darwazeh Cancer Centre. (Photo: IAEA)
