Overcoming Geographic & Financial Barriers in the Establishment of High Precision Diagnostic & Treatment Modalities in Cancer Management in a LMIC |
An Experience of Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (AECH NORI) Islamabad
IAEA ANCHOR CENTRE
RAYS OF HOPE
Making Strides Against Cancer
Recognizing the contributions of AECH NORI in the field of cancer diagnosis and management, patient services, education and training, research, quality assurance, and quality control, AECH NORI was declared an IAEA Anchor Centre under the Rays of Hope initiative in September 2023. In fact, NORI was one of the first five IAEA anchor centres. The Rays of Hope initiative is aimed at helping less privileged countries establish radiotherapy services for cancer patients. This is attributed to perseverance, hard work, commitment, and dedication of NORI employees under continuous supervision and guidance of seniors in Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.
AECH NORI is one of the 21 cancer hospitals working under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, situated in the heart of Islamabad and serving a population of more than 18 million, coming not only from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad but also from upper Punjab, KPK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Lower middle-income countries bear nearly 70% of the global cancer burden, yet only about 30% have access to radiotherapy, resulting in a significant survival gap. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, cancer incidence and mortality are substantially higher in low-income countries than in high-income ones.
Pakistan, as a lower middle-income country, faces similar challenges; however, the situation is comparatively less bleak. Currently, 36 radiation oncology facilities serve a population exceeding 250 million, with 18 operating under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. As per GLOBOCAN 2022, Pakistan recorded approximately 1.8 million cancer cases in 2022, rising to 1.9 million in 2025, with projections exceeding 2.2 million by 2030.
AECH NORI has successfully established comprehensive diagnostic and non-surgical cancer treatment facilities under one roof, comparable to those in developed countries, earning international recognition. Despite challenges typical of lower middle-income countries, such as infrastructure gaps, workforce shortages, financial constraints, referral barriers, and........