Rwanda’s Efforts to Tackle Preventable Cancers Recognized in Recent International Assessment
Rwanda has taken significant strides in addressing preventable cancers across the nation, as highlighted in a recent assessment conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The assessment commended Rwanda for its efforts to enhance cancer services, establish key governance documents, and provide training for oncology professionals. While progress has been made, there are still challenges to overcome in order to ensure comprehensive cancer care is accessible throughout the country.
The imPACT Review
The imPACT review, completed in January, focused on evaluating Rwanda’s health system capacity and requirements for cancer care and control. Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the timeliness of the review, coinciding with the launch of Rwanda’s new National Cancer Control Plan 2025–2029 and Accelerated Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy. Rwanda is continuously working towards enhancing cancer prevention and treatment services for its population.
According to 2022 IARC data, Rwanda sees approximately 7,000 new cancer diagnoses and over 4,800 deaths annually. Infectious diseases such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) contribute to the rising cancer rates in the country, with cervical cancer being the most common type among women, followed by breast and stomach cancers. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer in men, followed by stomach and liver cancers.
In-Country Mission
During the in-country mission in January, a team of technical officers from IAEA, WHO, and IARC, along with international experts, engaged with national authorities, survivor groups, and healthcare stakeholders to gain insights into Rwanda’s cancer control landscape. Visits to key health facilities and training institutions, such as the Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital and the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, provided a comprehensive understanding of the existing infrastructure.
The team acknowledged Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening cancer control and the progress made since the previous imPACT review in 2014. The country is updating its National Cancer Control Plan, set to be implemented from 2025 to 2029, with recommendations from the assessment guiding its future initiatives.
Focus on Cancer Prevention
Rwanda’s efforts in cancer prevention were lauded by the imPACT team, particularly initiatives promoting physical activity, tobacco control, and HPV vaccination. Rwanda was the first African country to introduce the HPV vaccine, achieving a 90% first-dose coverage rate among girls by age 15 in 2023. The nation plans to ramp up cervical cancer elimination efforts through nationwide vaccination and screening campaigns this year.
Despite progress in prevention, challenges persist in cancer control in Rwanda, including uneven distribution of specialized healthcare and reliance on external funding for national health initiatives. Recommendations from the assessment emphasized the need for increased domestic investment in healthcare and integration of cancer control into existing health programs to enhance service access and referrals.
Expansion of Radiotherapy Services
While Rwanda currently offers radiotherapy services with two linear accelerators in Kigali, machine downtime due to a lack of servicing staff poses a barrier to timely treatment access. The imPACT team recommended expanding radiation medicine services, including brachytherapy, beyond the capital and investing in training to support in-country equipment servicing. The development of nuclear medicine capacity and specialist training in various imaging modalities were also suggested.
The IAEA has been supporting Rwanda through technical cooperation and human health programs to bolster capacity for cancer control. The agency provided guidance on establishing radiotherapy services following the 2014 imPACT review, leading to the opening of Rwanda’s first radiotherapy center in 2019. The Rays of Hope initiative, launched by the IAEA in 2022, aims to address gaps in global cancer care access through strategic partnerships.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
