ISLAMABAD: The second regional training course (RTC) organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in collaboration with the Pakistani government through Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (AECH) NORI will begin in the capital on Monday (today).

The four-day training course will focus on ‘Palliative Radiotherapy for Brain metastases and locally advanced Head and Neck cancers’.

Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI), a flagship cancer-care hospital running under the aegis of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), is hosting this IAEA RTC.

International delegates from nine IAEA member states including Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines and Vietnam, will attend the course.

Director General (DG) Nuclear Medicine and Oncology of PAEC, Dr Ahmad Qureshi will inaugurate the course. Technical experts will be NORI Director Dr Mohammad Faheem, Head Oncology and Radiology Dr Humera Mahmood; Consultant Clinical Oncologist Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, Lahore, Dr Arif Jamshaid; Consultant Oncologist NCCI Karachi, Dr Azher Rasheed; RIHS, Prof Dr Kamran of Pims, Islamabad, Prof Dr Altaf Hussain; the lead country coordinator of the IAEA project, director Department of Radiation Medicine, Quantum Science Technology Hospital Chiba Japan Dr Mararu Wakatsuki and the course coordinator NORI Dr Rafia Toor.

Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital NORI is one of the 20 atomic energy cancer hospitals run by PAEC across the country. All these AECHs are equipped with latest machines and techniques for diagnosis as well as therapy of the cancer disease and cater to more than 70pc of the cancer patients of the country.

NORI has successfully achieved several milestones in recent past and has successfully adopted more advanced and the evolving cancer treatment practices across the world.

The Institute is the only public sector cancer care hospital in Pakistan that is equipped with the most advanced treatment facilities including cyber knife and true beam linear accelerator and is providing state-of-the-art treatment that meets international standards. The hospital treats and manages all types of cancers, irrespective of the stage.

Participants from all over the country will also join the event. The event would cover various aspects of palliative radiotherapy for brain metastases and locally advanced head and neck cancers including different practices across the world, radiotherapy treatment protocols, types of machines and facilities available, contouring and planning techniques used, case discussions and expert opinions. The practical aspects of this educational activity include hands on training sessions on contouring, treatment planning, dosimetry and quality assurance.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2023