Mrs. Asma al-Assad discusses with IAEA delegation cooperation in confronting cancer

The First Lady, Asma al-Assad, received on Wednesday a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is visiting Syria currently to discuss cooperation in confronting cancer, and how to provide support to the Syrian state in this field.

Mrs. al-Assad confirmed that Syria was able to reduce the death rates from cancer through a national program involving the concerned Syrian ministries and authorities, led by the Ministry of Health and the National Committee for Cancer Control. She noted that Syria’s strategy aims to raise the rates of cure from this disease, and reduce pain and suffering of the sick according to an action plan that combines securing treatment requirements, and the pursuit of early detection of cancer.

Mrs. al-Assad underlined the important role that has to be played by IAEA in supporting the fight against cancer in Syria by developing methods of treating the disease from a medical point of view, caring for the patient, reducing his suffering and supporting him on a psychological and moral level.

For their part, the delegation members affirmed the readiness of the IAEA to help Syria in the face of cancer through cooperation in medical programs and assessment of the needs and priorities of the Syrian state. They noted that Syria, despite all the challenges, has made an important stride during the past years in confronting cancer.

The IAEA delegation included Arsen Gurek, Masoud Malik, Lamia Mahmoud, Kamal Akbarov, and Dina Al-Husseini.

On the Syrian side, the meeting was attended by the Minister of Health, the President of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission, the Assistant Minister of Higher Education, the Head of the National Committee for Cancer Control, and the Director of Contagious and Chronic Diseases at the Ministry of Health.

Inas Abdulkareem