The expert team visited a private health institution . (Photo:C. Lopez Bray/ IAEA).
The imPACT Review mission, conducted in April 2026 on request of the Government of Paraguay, supports the country's engagement with the IAEA's Rays of Hope initiative , which aims to expand access to radiotherapy through technical assistance, training and investment. Paraguay first hosted an imPACT Review mission in 2016. The latest mission assessed progress over the past decade.
Cancer Burden and Growing Demand
Cancer remains a major public health challenge in Paraguay. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimates that the country records approximately 13,800 new cancer cases and 6,600 cancer related deaths each year. This indicates an increasing demand for services across the cancer care continuum, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment and palliative care.
Launching the mission, José Ortellado, Paraguay's Vice Minister of Health, highlighted the structured and coordinated approach of the imPACT Review. He said national clinical and technical teams would work alongside international experts throughout the week.
Over the course of the week, the expert team carried out technical visits and meetings in Asunción and Encarnación. The mission took place from 19-25 April. They met with public and private healthcare providers, academic institutions, regulatory authorities and organizations involved in cancer care.
Site visits to key oncology reference centres providing adult and paediatric services were complemented by in-depth thematic discussions that covered governance, prevention, early detection, diagnostics, treatment modalities, palliative care, cancer registration and radiological safety.
A national stakeholders' forum reviewed the mission's preliminary observations to support the development of priority recommendations, strengthening cancer control in Paraguay.
Experts visited a paediatric oncology hospital during the imPACT review mission. (Photo: PAHO/WHO).
Progress in Cancer Care and System Capacity
The expert team identified several strengths and areas of progress within Paraguay's cancer control system. These include a legal and regulatory framework for cancer care, with defined national legislation covering cancer control, cancer registration and palliative care, as well as the important institutional role played by the National Cancer Institute (INCAN).
The mission also noted growing technical capacity, including advances in cancer surveillance and the digitalization of information systems, expansion of diagnostic imaging services and increased engagement with international cooperation initiatives through United Nations agencies.
In prevention and early detection, the team highlighted structured national programmes, high coverage of HPV vaccination, free access to screening services in the public sector, and early detection initiatives supported by technical leadership in the National Cancer Control Programme (PRONAC).
At the conclusion of the mission, the expert team met with María Teresa Barán, Minister of Health of Paraguay, to present preliminary findings and priority recommendations on high-impact, system-level actions.
The team presented preliminary findings to Paraguay's Minister of Health and national team. (Photo: PAHO/WHO).
Priority Actions to Improve Cancer Care
Key recommendations included developing and implementating a comprehensive National Cancer Control Plan for adult and paediatric populations, aligned with WHO guidance and led by PRONAC. The team also called for a stronger governance and coordination across health subsystems to reduce fragmentation and improve efficiency.
The team emphasized the importance of reinforcing the national oncology network through planned, needs-based decentralization of services, supported by a strategic approach to developing and retaining a multidisciplinary oncology workforce.
The experts also recommended strengthening integrated cancer information systems and the establishment of robust data-governance mechanisms as essential to support evidence-based planning, enhance accountability and ensure more equitable access to quality cancer care .
The Minister emphasized the importance of translating the mission's recommendations into concrete actions, particularly to expand access to timely and high-quality oncology services across the country.
"The challenge is significant, but so is our commitment," Minister of Health Barán said. "We want every cancer patient to have dignified, timely, and high‑quality access to care, regardless of where they live," she added, underscoring the Government's focus on equity and territorial access to care.
The imPACT Review mission was coordinated by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPyBS). The expert team consisted of representatives from the IAEA, the Pan American Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer from six countries in the Latin American region.
The team also included a specialist from the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the United States of America. The final imPACT Review report is expected to serve as a strategic roadmap to guide short‑, medium‑ and long‑term actions to strengthen cancer control in Paraguay and inform future technical cooperation activities.
National stakeholder met to discuss preliminary findings and recommendations the imPACT Review mission. (Photo: PAHO/WHO).
