The World Health Organization (WHO) has committed to increasing medical imaging capacity worldwide by adopting a revolutionary resolution at the World Health Assembly (WHA78) in Geneva last week.
And the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) could not be prouder, as our Clinician-Scientist Professor Andrew Scott AM played a key role in drafting this resolution and contributed significantly to the efforts that led to this achievement.
This commitment by the WHO is expected to reduce the rising burden of cancer and other diseases for low- and middle-income countries by improving access to medical imaging.
Access to imaging is scarce in large parts of the world, particularly in many developing countries. However, it is an essential tool for clinicians planning and delivering cancer therapies to patients, such as radiotherapy, interventional radiology procedures, and radiotheranostics.
Professor Andrew Scott, who also co-led the Lancet Oncology Commission on Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine and directs Australia’s National Imaging Facility Node at ONJCRI, said:
“We will be working closely with WHO, and many international organisations to develop plans for improving workforce numbers and training, access to imaging equipment and infrastructure, radiopharmaceutical availability, and policy frameworks so that patients around the world will have improved access to imaging, leading to better health outcomes.”
The Lancet Oncology Commission on Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine found vast disparities in access to medical imaging between countries of different income levels. For example, the number of CT scanners, imaging technology that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body, ranged from 0 to more than 30 per million people.
The resolution highlights the need to provide equitable access to imaging technologies and associated infrastructure, health workers and their training, and operating costs.
“This is why the resolution deserves the strong support demonstrated by all those working to advance global health, and the cancer care community especially,” said Professor Scott.
The resolution was approved by all countries at the World Health Assembly, an outstanding result that signals promising changes in access to medical imaging:
“Now, we have the opportunity to engage globally in workforce training, and improving access and availability for all patients who need imaging for optimal care,” said Professor Scott.
Congratulations to Professor Scott on this phenomenal outcome, which will have an impact on healthcare delivery at a global level, and will lead to cancer care that is more effective, tolerable and accessible for all.
Watch the ratification of the Resolution on Strengthening Medical Imaging Capacity here (‘WHA78 – Committee A, Tenth Committee A meeting’ on 24 May, at time 2:45:46).