Tanzanian Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi addresses the IAEA Scientific Forum in Vienna, where he outlined Tanzania’s progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Photo: IAEA

NNA News - Tanzania is expanding cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment as it seeks to strengthen its position as a regional centre for cancer care and specialist training in sub-Saharan Africa.

Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi said the expansion had been supported by government investment in services ranging from primary healthcare to specialised treatment. “Health has remained a national priority, as demonstrated by the progress made in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment from primary to specialised levels of care,” Ndejembi said at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Scientific Forum in Vienna.

He said coverage of the single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among girls aged nine to 14 had increased from 58 percent in 2018 to 98 percent in 2026. Tanzania has also doubled the number of facilities providing radiotherapy, from three in 2020 to six this year. Ndejembi said access to radiotherapy had consequently increased from 14 percent to 26 percent, benefiting about 6,500 patients.

The country is also expanding its diagnostic capacity. Between 2021 and 2026, the number of MRI machines increased from seven to 28, while CT scanners rose from 12 to 97. Mammography machines increased from four to 20, and digital X-ray machines from 147 to 770, according to figures presented by Ndejembi.

Tanzania has also begun using a PET scanner linked to a cyclotron, a system that supports the production of radioactive isotopes used in advanced medical imaging. Ndejembi said this placed Tanzania among the first 10 countries in Africa to offer the technology. The government plans to establish nine comprehensive cancer centres across six strategic zones in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar by 2030.

Ndejembi said the expansion was intended to bring specialised services closer to patients and reduce the number of people who travel long distances for treatment or arrive at hospitals when cancer has reached an advanced stage.

Tanzania is also seeking greater regional recognition for its cancer services. Ndejembi called on the IAEA to designate the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam as a Regional Centre of Excellence for cancer care, training and capacity building for health professionals from other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

The request comes as countries across Africa continue to face major gaps in access to cancer diagnosis and treatment. At the IAEA Scientific Forum, speakers highlighted unequal access to radiotherapy and specialised cancer services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The IAEA forum is being held under the theme “Rays of Hope: Delivering on the Promise of Cancer Care.”

Ndejembi called for continued support from the IAEA, member states and international partners as Tanzania expands its cancer infrastructure, specialist workforce and access to advanced technology. The government now faces the challenge of turning the rapid expansion of equipment and facilities into sustained access to early diagnosis, treatment and specialist care across the country.

For Tanzania, the longer-term objective is to strengthen domestic cancer services while building the expertise and infrastructure needed to serve patients and health professionals from across the wider region.