1. Taking Guatemala From Cobalt to IMRT: A Tale of US Agency Collaboration With Academic Institutions and Industry.
- Author
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Velarde A, Najera KD, Gay H, Powderly WG, Mutic S, Green J, Michalski JM, Henke L, de Falla V, Laugeman E, Catu M, Hugo GD, Cai B, and van Rheenen J
- Subjects
- Guatemala, Humans, Social Control, Formal, United States, Cobalt Radioisotopes therapeutic use, Industry, Intersectoral Collaboration, Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated statistics & numerical data, Universities
- Abstract
The not-for-profit organization La LIGA Nacional Contra el Cáncer, with its hospital Instituto de Cancerología (INCAN), is responsible for cancer treatment of much of the indigent population in Guatemala, a country with a population of 16 million. Annually, approximately 70% of patients at INCAN are seen in late stages of cancer, which places a great strain on the hospital's limited resources. Private clinics account for 75% of radiation therapy centers in Guatemala and have considerable resources. However, private facilities are fee-based, which creates a barrier for low-income patients; this is an especially significant problem in Guatemala, which has the highest income inequalities and poverty rates in Latin America. This article describes a project on the transition from cobalt to a Halcyon radiation therapy system at INCAN through a partnership with the US Agency for International Development's Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID/ASHA), Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), industry partner Varian Medical Systems, and the US National Nuclear Security Administration to provide access to state-of-the-art radiation therapy technology while increasing the overall treatment capacity for the underserved population of Guatemala., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)
- Published
- 2020
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