The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Morocco are joining forces against cancer and pandemics, the Vienna-based UN agency said.
In an article on the visit of IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi this week to Morocco, published on its website, the Agency said an agreement was signed with the Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection to strengthen cooperation in the fight against cancer and zoonoses, i.e. diseases transmitted to humans from other animals.
“Morocco is a strong supporter of the promotion of nuclear science in Africa and an important player in access to cancer care and response to epidemics of zoonoses on the continent,” the IAEA article points out.
The agreement sets out areas of cooperation in which the IAEA and Morocco will work together under the Agency’s ‘Rays of Hope’ initiative, the article explains.
It further notes that the initiative, launched last February at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, aims to improve access to cancer care in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, where more than 70 percent of the population lacks access to radiation therapy.
Morocco will participate in this initiative and promote the use of radiotherapy, an essential tool for the treatment of more than half of all cancer patients, the Agency maintains.
The IAEA-Morocco agreement also brings the country’s support to the IAEA’s ZODIAC (Integrated Action against Zoonotic Diseases) Initiative aimed at the integration of all actions against zoonotic diseases, the article says.
Quoted in the article, Grossi stressed that “Morocco is a key player in Africa for the triangular transfer of expertise, skills and technologies for sustainable development.” “The IAEA supports Morocco’s efforts to promote nuclear science for a safer, healthier and fairer world,” he added.
While praising Morocco’s nuclear facilities and radiotherapy centers, the article reviewed all the exchanges that Grossi had with Moroccan officials, including with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the acting director of the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR).