Tanzania launches Sh190 billion nuclear-powered cancer treatment plan
Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced a 59 million Euro (Sh169.872 billion) plan to expand cancer diagnosis and treatment centers in Tanzania using nuclear technology, aiming to strengthen healthcare services and enhance cancer care nationwide.
President Samia’s statement was delivered by President of Zanzibar Dr Hussein Mwinyi, who represented her at the launch of new Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) offices and laboratories in Zanzibar on Monday, November 11, 2024.
“Through this initiative, we aim to boost the capabilities of existing centers at Ocean Road in Dar es Salaam and Bugando in Mwanza while establishing four new centers at Benjamini Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, KCMC in Moshi, Mnazi Mmoja in Zanzibar and Mbeya Referral Hospital,” she said.
She said that construction of nuclear equipment bunkers has already begun at Benjamini Mkapa Hospital and KCMC, with further plans underway for Mnazi Mmoja in Zanzibar and Mbeya Referral Hospital.
Upon completion, the country will have six government cancer centers in key regions.
The use of nuclear technology will bring substantial benefits to the country, particularly in health diagnostics and cancer treatment, she added.
President Hassan said that nuclear technology was primarily used in health, especially for cancer diagnosis and treatment, making Tanzania’s cancer centers major beneficiaries. Tanzania has joined various international agreements on radiation regulation and nuclear technology use, which have already brought significant benefits to the country.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and our development partners for supporting Tanzania by enhancing infrastructure, equipment, and expertise for safe radiation and nuclear technology use,” she said.
With a shortage of nuclear science and technology specialists in Tanzania, the Ministry has launched a funding program, the ‘Samia Scholarship Extended,’ to enable Tanzanian youth to pursue advanced degrees in nuclear science and technology abroad.
TAEC Director General Prof Najat Mohammed said that the new facility, costing Sh3 billion, includes 17 offices and five laboratories and will support national nuclear technology policies and expand access to essential services. Prof Mohammed added that the new laboratory facilities will reduce radiation technology-related costs, support the industrial sector, and ensure safe nuclear technology use.
The Zanzibar government provided additional land for the TAEC project, which underscores their close cooperation on the initiative, noted TAEC Board Chairman Prof Joseph Msambichaka.
Zanzibar’s Minister of Health, Nassoro Ahmed Mazrui, welcomed the development, saying it will significantly strengthen the health sector and support Zanzibar’s plans to open its own cancer center.
“We in the Ministry of Health will be major stakeholders in these laboratories as we work to establish a cancer center, a referral hospital in Binguni, and other facilities with X-ray, CT scan, and MRI equipment,” he said.
The Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology for the United Republic of Tanzania, Omar Kipanga, commended TAEC’s contribution to science and technology in Tanzania, noting that the new equipment will help enhance productivity and ensure safe radiation practices.
