Bel©m: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has delivered an advanced digital mammography machine to the "Joao de Barros Barreto" University Hospital in Bel©m, Brazil. This delivery is part of the IAEA's "Rays of Hope" initiative, which aims to bolster cancer diagnosis and treatment capabilities in various countries.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the handover took place during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30), highlighting the IAEA's dedication to supporting healthcare systems and enhancing their resilience amidst increasing challenges. The new mammography machine, equipped with state-of-the-art digital imaging technologies, is expected to significantly boost the hospital's capacity, enabling it to conduct examinations for over 2,000 women each year across Bel©m and the broader Amazon region.
The "Joao de Barros Barreto" University Hospital, a public institution, offers free medical services and plays a vital role in education, research, and medical training. Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women in Brazil, with the National Cancer Institute estimating approximately 73,610 new cases by 2025, translating to an incidence rate of 66.5 cases per 100,000 women.
Raul Ramirez Garca, Head of the IAEA's Latin America and Caribbean Division, stated during the event that the "Rays of Hope initiative supports countries like Brazil in building sustainable health systems capable of protecting women's health." Regina Feu Barroso, General Supervisor of the Federal University of Par Hospital Complex, emphasized that the new device's arrival marks a significant step in enhancing women's health services in the Amazon region.
The IAEA launched the "Rays of Hope" initiative in 2022 to improve access to cancer diagnosis and treatment in low- and middle-income countries.