Papua New Guinea has taken a major step in cancer treatment with the introduction of brachytherapy at Angau Memorial Hospital, marking a breakthrough in its radiation medicine services. This advancement comes six months after the country’s only radiotherapy machine resumed operations following nearly a decade of inactivity.
Located in Lae, Angau Memorial Hospital serves as a crucial healthcare center for over 1.9 million people. With cancer cases exceeding 12,000 annually, the new brachytherapy unit offers a targeted treatment approach, particularly benefiting cervical, prostate, and breast cancer patients.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) played a key role in restoring radiotherapy services, replacing essential equipment, and training medical physicists to ensure precise treatment delivery. Since August 2024, the hospital has treated around 50 patients per month, with hundreds more registered for care.
Despite these advancements, experts emphasize the need for early cancer detection, as many patients seek treatment in later stages. Increased awareness and improved access to screening remain vital to combating cervical cancer, which continues to disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries.