IAEA Delivers $2 Million Lifeline to Restore Cancer Treatment in War-Hit Sudan

Radiotherapy—required for more than half of all cancer patients—has been effectively out of reach in Sudan following the breakdown of services in key public centres in Khartoum, Shendi, and Wad Madani.

After three years of disruption caused by civil conflict, Sudan is taking a critical step toward restoring life-saving cancer care, as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delivers essential equipment to revive radiotherapy services at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Wad Madani.

The shipment—valued at approximately US $2 million—marks a major milestone in rebuilding Sudan's fragile health system and is expected to help reintroduce radiotherapy treatment later this year, potentially benefiting up to 10,000 cancer patients annually.

Rebuilding a Critical Lifeline for Cancer Patients

Located about 200 kilometres south of Khartoum, the Wad Madani NCI is Sudan's second-largest public cancer centre and a vital provider of oncology services for both adults and children in Al Gazira State, one of the country's most densely populated regions.

The newly delivered equipment includes:

• Components to refurbish two teletherapy machines

• Upgraded treatment planning systems

• Dosimeters to ensure accurate radiation delivery

Once installed and operational, these upgrades will restore a core pillar of cancer treatment that has been largely unavailable across the country.

A System in Collapse

Radiotherapy—required for more than half of all cancer patients—has been effectively out of reach in Sudan following the breakdown of services in key public centres in Khartoum, Shendi, and Wad Madani.

The shutdown, driven by equipment failures compounded by ongoing conflict, has left thousands of patients without access to essential care, forcing many to go untreated or seek expensive treatment abroad—often an impossible option.

Sudan is already grappling with a growing cancer burden, with nearly 30,000 new cases reported each year, making the restoration of treatment capacity an urgent national priority.

"Cancer Care Cannot Wait"

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the urgency of restoring services amid crisis conditions.

"Cancer patients need care everywhere, always—but even more so in times of crisis," he said, highlighting the agency's broader commitment to rebuilding oncology infrastructure across the country.

Sudan's Minister of Health, Haitham Awad Allah, described the intervention as both life-saving and system-critical.

"The refurbishment of the NCI radiotherapy machines will not only save lives but also significantly reduce the suffering of patients and their families, while contributing to the recovery of the national health system," he said.

Part of a Wider Recovery Effort

The Wad Madani project is the first facility to benefit from a broader IAEA-led rehabilitation plan developed following a technical assessment mission in September 2025.

The initiative is being implemented under the IAEA's Rays of Hope programme, launched in 2022 to expand access to cancer care in low- and middle-income countries.

Globally, the programme has:

• Delivered over 90 pieces of diagnostic and treatment equipment

• Provided training and technical support in more than 60 countries

In Sudan, further phases are planned to:

• Restore radiotherapy services in Khartoum and Shendi

• Provide specialised training for oncology professionals

• Strengthen long-term national cancer care capacity

A Turning Point for Sudan's Health System

The restoration of radiotherapy services in Wad Madani represents more than just a technical upgrade—it signals a step toward rebuilding essential health infrastructure in a country where conflict has severely disrupted medical services.

For patients and families, it offers renewed hope of access to timely, affordable treatment closer to home.

For the health system, it marks the beginning of a broader recovery effort—one that will require sustained international support, national investment, and continued focus on capacity building.

Hope Amid Crisis

As installation progresses and services prepare to resume, the message from global health leaders is clear: even in the midst of conflict, access to cancer care must remain a priority.

With thousands of lives at stake each year, the return of radiotherapy services in Sudan could become a powerful example of how targeted international cooperation can restore critical care—and hope—where it is needed most.