In a noteworthy stride towards bolstering cancer care services, the Angau Cancer Center in Papua New Guinea extends its gratitude to the national government for elevating cancer as a pivotal facet of public health.
CEO of Morobe Provincial Health Authority Dr. Kipas Binga said this underscores the government’s commitment to this cause, evident in the ongoing initiatives to reinstate and upgrade cancer treatment services, particularly in the domain of radiation therapy.
Historically, Angau has been at the forefront of providing radiation services.
However, the facility encountered a setback when the radiation source exceeded its operational life.
Furthermore, as Papua New Guinea joined the International Atomic Energy Agency, adherence to its regulations became imperative. Subsequently, an act of parliament facilitated the country’s membership, triggering a comprehensive restoration process.
A team of biomedical engineers is currently in Lae to rectify the control base of the cobalt-60 machine, also evaluating the treatment facility’s needs to aid Angau in reviving the cobalt-60 machine—an indispensable component of radiation therapy at Angau.
The team is optimistic about resuming radiation services by the end of the first quarter, with the cobalt-60 source anticipated to be operational by that time, and brachytherapy services to follow suit by the end of the second quarter.
To ensure the security and infrastructure essential for the revived services, Angau has initiated security works and fencing.
The internal security layer is entrusted to G4S, with support from the National Department of Health and the US Energy Department.
The ambitious project’s financial backing, amounting to K15 million, stems from a memorandum of understanding signed with Kumul Petroleum in 2020.
These funds have played a pivotal role in various aspects, including the recruitment of oncologists.
Dr. Kipas Binga emphasizes the importance of exploring alternatives for the expansion of the cancer treatment centre.
Discussions are underway regarding the possibility of expanding the existing facility rather than constructing a new one.
While the primary focus remains on enhancing treatment services, Angau’s management underscores the significance of preventive measures. Consideration is being given to shifting towards preventative programs to allocate resources more efficiently and alleviate the burden on the healthcare system.
The management believes that investing in public health initiatives can substantially impact the population’s well-being.
Addressing the preventive aspect, the team is devising strategies to target specific groups, including the middle class, middle-aged individuals, women, and men.
The objective is to educate the healthy population, minimizing reliance on health facilities for treatment.
Recognizing the pivotal role of histology in cancer diagnosis and treatment, Angau actively seeks to establish a facility in Australia for timely histopathology services.
This initiative aims to reduce waiting times for biopsy results, ensuring quicker turnaround times for accurate cancer diagnoses.
With these comprehensive efforts, the Angau Cancer Center is poised to make significant progress in delivering advanced and holistic cancer care services to the people of Papua New Guinea.