IRAQ SEEKS IAEA/PACT PARTNERSHIP TO LAUNCH NATIONAL CANCER

UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000191 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED ADDRESSEE) SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/T, ISN/MNSA, ISN/RA, ISN/CTR NA-243-GOOREVICH/OEHLBERT, BRUNNS; NA-241 O'CONNOR, SIEMON; NA21-CUMMINS, ILIOPULOS; NE- MCGINNIS, PEKO, CLAPPER NRC FOR OIP - DOANE, HENDERSON, SCHWARTZMAN BAGHDAD FOR RUTH HALL, MILA UYEHAVA, TIM FINGARSON AND USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC ENRG ETTC KNNP MNUC PREL TRGY SUBJECT: IRAQ SEEKS IAEA/PACT PARTNERSHIP TO LAUNCH NATIONAL CANCER THERAPY PROGRAM REF: A) 08 UNVIE 556, B) UNVIE 145 -------------- SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶1. In March 2009, after a five month lag, Iraq's Ministry of Health (MOH) resumed discussions with the IAEA Program of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) to create a short, medium, and long-term plan to implement a national cancer therapy program. After consultation with multiple IAEA offices that would be involved in the project, PACT shared a roadmap with Msnoff in order to gain U.S. support for the removal of old cobalt-60 sources, procurement of new linear accelerators, and long-term financial support for the Iraq/PACT partnership. The Iraqi MOH's next step is to gain interagency approval in Baghdad and per PACT's advice approach other potential donors (Japan, China, and Canada) to ensure that the total cost of USD 2.3 to USD 3.5 million for short-term goals is reached quickly. The implementation of medium and long-term elements will begin only if Iraq finds donors and submits appropriate TC project requests to the IAEA and Member States for consideration. The IAEA has not yet committed any TC or reserve funds toward this project. ¶2. Mission requests guidance on USG views of the Iraq/PACT partnership, possible assistance on removal of cobalt-60 sources, possible training opportunities of Iraqi experts in the U.S., and USG funding support. END SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. -------------- HOW THIS ALL GOT STARTED -------------- ¶3. In spring 2008, Mission provided, through the Embassy Baghdad Health Attache's office, an IAEA Program of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) "imPACT" questionnaire, which the Iraqi Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Science and Technology completed in August 2008. PACT subsequently produced an analysis of nuclear applications for cancer therapy, based on the GOI's responses. During the 2008 IAEA General Conference, Msnoffs participated in a meeting with the Iraqi Delegation and PACT to clarify short, medium, and long-term needs and assistance PACT might provide in Iraq. �0A;Mission conveyed general U.S. support for PACT, but made no commitments related to this project, though Iraqi interlocutors pressed for such assistance. Instead, the next step discussed was the GOI's need to delineate a timeline, strategy, and cost estimate for donors to consider. PACT offered assistance in formulating a project package for donors. After months of inaction, caused at least in part by Austrian visa delays, Iraq recently sent two experts from the Ministry of Health to Vienna for March 30-April 4 consultations with PACT (ref B). -------------- IRAQ-PACT CONSULTATION RESULTS -------------- ¶4. PACT arranged for a week of meetings with Nuclear Applications (Applied Radiation and Biology and Radiotherapy Section/Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physic Section/Nuclear Medicine Section),TC, and program experts for Iraqi Ministry of Health representatives Dr. Ahmed Sabah Nooredin and Dr. Mahdi Abdullah Al Saraj from the main cancer hospital in Baghdad. The Iraqi experts presented an account of their current oncology services across Iraq and then worked with IAEA counterparts on devising a plan for short/medium/long term priorities which are now divided into three phases (Phase I - immediate action in 2009/Phase II - action mid-2010-2011/Phase II - action beyond 2012.) Estimated resources and possible funding sources were also identified. Based on the discussion, prior to departing, the Iraqi experts presented a draft project concept for the rehabilitation of the main cancer and nuclear medicine centers in Baghdad and Mosul and defined it as a Phase I need. According to the experts they will ask the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Science and Technology to submit this project concept as a TC project request with the TC reserve Fund as the funding source. PACT Director Samiei, in a separate conversation with Msnoff, noted that the IAEA may designate USG 50,000 from the TC Reserve Fund for this project after approval. ¶5. The draft project concept will address the most urgent needs of the two cancer centers in Mosul and Baghdad. According to the draft outline the project requests: -- Six Cobalt-60 source replacements (2 for Mosul/4 for Baghdad), the decommissioning of old machines, and assistance procuring new machines; -- in the event that importation of Cobalt 60 replacement sources is not feasible, Iraq requests assistance in procuring two linear accelerators (compact 6MeV); -- intracavitary afterloading; -- assistance with improving radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear medical examinations; -- support for a comprehensive cancer control plan based on the PACT process; -- training courses: a) short-term program for three months for teams consisting of 4 radiation oncologists, 1 nuclear medicine physician, 4 radiotherapy technicians, 2 physicists, and 1 engineer; b) medium-term programs for 2 radiation oncologists, 2 radiotherapy technicians, 1 physicist, 1 engineer, and 1 nuclear medicine physician; c) long-term programs lasting 1-2 years for 3 radiation oncologists, 3 radiotherapy technicians, 2 physicists and 1 nuclear medicine physician. The IAEA's TC Division and Iraqi experts agreed that Phase II and Phase III needs, not defined as of April 2009, in radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, should be addressed through Iraqi submissions of regular TC project proposals in 2010 for approval by the TACC. Iraqi participation in existing regional TC projects will also address some needs. ¶6. Iraqi experts also briefed Nuclear Application's Medical Physics and Dosimetry expert Pernika on current equipment inventories at the four radiotherapy centers in Iraq. The total inventory is: -- Baghdad - 4 Cobalt-60 units, 2 Primus linear accelerators, 1 CT simulator (Siemens),1 TPS -- Mosul - 2 Cobalt 60 units, 1 Primus linear accelerator, 1 CT simulator, 1 TPS -- Arbil - 1 Primus linear accelerator, 1 CT simulator, 1 TPS -- Suleimania - 1 Elekta linear accelerator, other equipment unknown The centers and equipment are being staffed by a total of 80 experts with a variety of educational backgrounds (Master or Bachelors in Science and Medicine, etc.). According to IAEA/NA and the Iraqi experts, the urgent need for Phase I and Phase II is the training of medical physicists. Short-term training, from IAEA/NA's perspective should focus on dosimetry, treatment planning, quality assurance, and radiation protection. For Phase II training needs, Iraq should consider sending two medical physicists on a 1-2 year clinical rotation in a major hospital in the region or elsewhere. As a first step, IAEA/NA agreed to provide Iraqi counterparts with necessary material for teaching and training medical physicists especially in radiation oncology. IAEA/NA will also provide further recommendation on clinical training opportunities. ¶7. A common thread throughout the consultations, according to PACT, was Iraq's need for funding. According to the Iraqi experts, there are limited amounts of funding available from the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Science. PACT once again suggested that the Iraqis brief Member States and potential donors on their plans in an effort to solicit funds. PACT will continue partner with Iraq and will try to mobilize funding from other international organizations or NGOs on behalf of Iraq. ¶8. PACT requested U.S. support, on behalf of the GoI, for the removal of the old Cobalt-60 sources, procurement of new linear accelerators should the U.S. or other donor be unwilling to supply new Cobalt-60 sources and machines, and long term financial support for the Iraq/PACT partnership in areas of USG interest such as training. (NOTE: While PACT has requested USG support, the partnership concept along with the three Phase approach has not yet been approved by the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Science. END NOTE) -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶9. Mission believes the GoI and PACT are on the right track in forming a strategic partnership to create a comprehensive national cancer therapy program and mobilize necessary resources, not funded by TC monies, to ensure that all three phases of the initial concept come to fruition. The USG continues to support PACT's work and given our strategic interests in Iraq and the region, support for this endeavor, either through training of Iraqi experts, removal of Cobalt-60 sources, or other forms of aid, would create good will and ensure that nuclear techniques are being used for peaceful purposes. There are also benefits in Vienna given Iraq's presence on the IAEA board and the Iraqi governor's personal concern with nuclear medicine. Mission suggests that before any USG funding or in-kind support is considered, a thorough review of the project (possibly via DVCs with Iraqi experts, the US Health Attach and USAID Bagdad, and IAEA officials) be conducted. The USG may also want to consider working with the Minister of Health and Science specifically to set aside Iraqi national funds, on an annual basis, for specific needs in all three phases of the concept, thereby reducing the burden on potential donors. SCHULTE