The treatment room at the new radiotherapy centre at the Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital (SKMTH) in Gaborone will be key to Botswana’s efforts to combat cancer. (Photo: SKMTH)
Since becoming an IAEA Member State in 2022, Botswana has progressed in the peaceful, safe and secure use of nuclear technology in various areas, including radiotherapy. Five national IAEA technical cooperation projects have been carried out to support the establishment of the new radiotherapy centre.
Building on previous support received from the IAEA, Botswana joined the Rays of Hope initiative last year. “Botswana’s short- to medium- term needs were analysed, and high impact, cost effective and sustainable actions have been prioritized, focusing on human resources, procurement, and safety and security support,” said Hua Liu, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation at the IAEA. Tumisang Healy, the local Member of Parliament, along with high-level officials and representatives from local authorities, attended the opening of the new radiotherapy centre.
IAEA support has focused on human resource capacity building – in particular long-term training for personnel to operate the centre, including radiation oncologists, medical physicists, oncology nurses and radiotherapy technologists. In addition, IAEA expert services have helped Botswana to develop bunkers (shielded rooms) to house treatment equipment in line with approved international radiation safety standards. The IAEA has assisted in the development of specifications for the procurement of equipment, and in commissioning and acceptance testing.
Together with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the IAEA is providing support for the development of Botswana’s first National Cancer Control Programme. The draft programme is expected to be completed in October 2023.
