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DIGITAL WORLD
BRICS+ Media Centre 
MODERN RUSSIAN 
15.07.2617:00 
Ethiopia strengthens paediatric cancer care with new national society
The initiative seeks to improve early diagnosis and increase survival rates for children with cancer across the country
Ethiopia took a historic step by inaugurating the Ethiopian Pediatric Haematology and Oncology Society (ESPHO), with the aim of transforming care for children with cancer and blood diseases. The ceremony in Addis Ababa was attended by State Minister of Health Service and Programme Wing Dereje Duguma and hundreds of professionals from the sector.
"Addressing paediatric cancer requires a unified front. ESPHO is essential for gathering data, training specialised personnel, and ensuring early diagnosis," said Dereje Duguma, according to ENA, a partner of TV BRICS. Currently, between 6,000 and 8,000 children are diagnosed each year in Ethiopia, but fewer than 2,000 receive timely treatment.
The society's president, Abel Hailu, highlighted the progress made in the last decade: eight hospitals offer radiotherapy, and seven clinics specialise in paediatric oncology. In addition, the training of specialists, nutritional programmes and psychological support for patients are being promoted.
The launch received international praise, and the society aims to increase survival to 60 per cent by 2030, as well as host the International Society of Pediatric Oncology Africa 2027 Conference.
Other BRICS countries are also making advances in oncology.
In Russia, a team of scientists has synthesised an organic compound based on benzoxazole that not only suppresses the growth of cancer cells but also emits fluorescence, which could enable real-time monitoring and improve diagnostic designs and targeted cancer therapies. This dual functionality opens up new perspectives in molecular biology and precision medicine. This was reported by the official website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
From Iran, advances include the production of radiopharmaceuticals capable of treating up to 30 types of cancer, with a focus on integrating different groups of health professionals to offer more effective treatments. In addition, according to Mehr News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS, Iranian authorities have proposed creating a common network of laboratories among BRICS countries to share technology and expensive equipment, strengthening regional scientific cooperation.
According to IANS, a partner of TV BRICS, scientists at the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences have developed an artificial intelligence system that interprets the molecular profile of cancer and predicts its behaviour with high accuracy, enabling a more personalised and early approach to treatment. Such technological tools represent an advance in the individualised management of the disease.
Photo: SewcreamStudio / iStock
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