18th September, 2025 – Vienna, Austria – The heads of leading cancer institutes in East Africa have today joined forces to create the East Africa Cancer Institute Association (EACCIA). This agreement was made today at the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, initiating a new phase of regional collaboration in the fight against cancer.
From left: Dr. Elias Melly, CEO National Cancer Institute of Kenya, Dr. Jackson Orem, Uganda Cancer Institute, and Dr. Diwani Misemo, Tanzania Ocean Road Cancer Institute.
The vision was born from the collective leadership of Dr. Elias Melly, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya; Dr. Jackson Orem, Director of the Uganda Cancer Institute; and Dr. Diwani Msemo of Tanzania’s Ocean Road Cancer Institute. As a show of unity, these leaders have laid the foundation for a unified front that will put together efforts in prevention, control, research, and treatment across the region. The EACCIA is set to be officially launched in Arusha in February 2026, a fitting location that symbolizes the spirit of the East African community and cooperation.
The Power of Synergy and Regional Collaboration
The importance of this association cannot be overstated. By working together, East African countries can overcome shared challenges, from limited resources and equipment to a shortage of trained specialists.
- Knowledge and Data Sharing: A unified database and shared research platforms will allow for better understanding of cancer trends, risk factors, and effective interventions specific to the East African population. For example, cancers like esophageal cancer, which have a high age-standardized rate in Eastern Africa, can be addressed more effectively through collaborative studies.
- Capacity Building: The EACCIA can facilitate joint training programs, exchange of medical professionals, and shared access to advanced medical equipment, ensuring that all member countries benefit from the latest advancements. This is critical for scaling up radiotherapy services, which are often in short supply, and for enhancing diagnostic capabilities.
- Policy Harmonization: By speaking with a single voice, the association can more effectively advocate for regional health policies, secure funding from international partners, and influence global health agendas. This collective strength will be vital in creating robust and sustainable cancer control programs.
This model of regional collaboration is a global best practice. From the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) to the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), history shows that working as neighbors creates a powerful force multiplier, accelerating progress and improving patient outcomes far more than any single country could achieve alone.
Kenyan Delegation at the 69th IEAE General Conference in Vienna, led by Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak
The IAEA 69th General Conference: A Focus on “Rays of Hope”
The IAEA’s 69th General Conference provided the perfect backdrop for this historic agreement, with the main theme being “Atoms of Water.” This theme showcased the diverse applications of nuclear science in areas like agriculture, climate, and water management. Under its “Rays of Hope” initiative, the IAEA is specifically committed to expanding access to cancer care in low- and middle-income countries by building capacity in diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy. Kenya’s case was presented to the conference by Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, PhD, EGH, the Director for the Division for Africa at the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation.
The conference’s focus on leveraging nuclear science for health, food, and development provided a case on the need for international cooperation to address the world’s most pressing challenges. The newly formed East Africa Cancer Institutes Association (EACCIA) is a direct response to this global call to action, taking the “rays of hope” and transforming them into a tangible, coordinated effort for East Africa.
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