Addis Ababa, July 1, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, announced that the country is significantly expanding access to cancer diagnosis and treatment—particularly radiotherapy and screening services—marking concrete progress since the launch of the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative in Addis Ababa three years ago.
Speaking at the opening of 2025 Rays of Hope Forum, which opened on Monday at the African Union headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, the Minister praised the IAEA for choosing Ethiopia once again to host the Forum, noting that Addis Ababa is where Rays of Hope was first launched in 2022—an initiative now expanding across low- and middle-income countries to improve access to life-saving cancer care.
“Cancer is becoming one of the most urgent health challenges across Africa,” she said, adding, “Here in Ethiopia, we have embraced this moment with purpose.”
The Minister reported that Ethiopia has invested over €25 million in cancer care infrastructure and expanded radiotherapy services beyond the capital to five regional centers, four of which are already functional. Chemotherapy services are now offered at more than 13 hospitals outside Addis Ababa, and cancer screening—especially for breast and cervical cancer—has been integrated into primary healthcare services.
She also highlighted Ethiopia’s growing local workforce capacity: 16 oncologists have graduated through national programs, and 17 nuclear medicine professionals have been trained to international standards with IAEA support.
To guide long-term efforts, Ethiopia has launched its second-generation National Cancer Control Plan, shaped by comprehensive assessments and collaboration with the IAEA. The plan includes scaling up population-based cancer registration, improving early detection, and decentralizing treatment services across the country.
“The progress made is meaningful, but we know much more needs to be done,” Dr. Mekdes noted, calling for sustained partner support to strengthen institutional capacity, reduce patient waiting times, and ensure equitable access.
She also reaffirmed Ethiopia’s request for continued support under Rays of Hope, including the deployment of additional linear accelerators, critical equipment for radiotherapy, which has already had a transformative impact on patient outcomes in Ethiopia.
“This forum is more than a gathering—it is a call to action,” she said. “We must ensure that no patient is left behind.”
Launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2022, the Rays of Hope initiative aims to help countries establish or expand radiotherapy and nuclear medicine capabilities. Since its inception, more than 90 countries have requested support. The initiative also mobilizes funding from donor states, private sector partners, and development agencies, while anchoring training and quality assurance through a growing network of specialist centers.
As the initiative returns to its birthplace, the 2025 Forum serves as a platform for countries and partners to reflect on achievements, share experiences, and chart the next phase of cooperation to improve global access to cancer care.
“Ethiopia remains a proud and committed partner of the IAEA,” Dr. Mekdes concluded, inviting further collaboration to advance equitable and sustainable cancer services across Africa.