Recent IAEA website released a staff report that highlighted IAEA work to support the world health problems that focus particularly on mothers and children. The feature story was posted in connection with the World Health Day (7 April). The report outlined that one big target for supporting world health issue is cancer. The report introduced IAEA's endeavor to combat for cancer through its ambitious 'Programme of Action for Cancer Radiotherapy (PACT)'.

The report iterated that millions of children never see the age of five, and millions of mothers die too early from sicknesses that can be prevented and treated. The report referred that this year's World Health Day shined the spotlight on improving the health of mothers and children, and emphasized that IAEA also stands steady among international organizations contributing to the important work.

It is noted that IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said 'We are working to apply nuclear techniques where they will count the most, to enhance the lives of people around the globe' in describing the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology supported by the IAEA. The report explained that one big target is cancer, a major problem on the rise in developing countries.

The IAEA has been working with the WHO and other partners to provide the training, expert missions and equipment needed to support national and regional cancer therapy programmes. The RCA (Regional Cooperation Agreement in Asia and the Pacific), with the support of the IAEA, has been implementing various health care projects with the prime aim to enhance prevention of cancer through nuclear techniques. Development advanced radiotherapy for cancer treatment has well recognized with signficant contributions. Training qualified medical professionals in these fields in the region has even greater contribution to serving for the people.

The report pointed out that of the estimated 260 million new cancer cases expected in the next 20 years, approximately 175 million will require radiation therapy. It said that the aim of IAEA's peaceful nuclear application programme is to help more developing countries acquire the resources and expertise to deal with this impending crisis. It said in order to raise public awareness of this need, and capabilities to assist countries in providing cancer treatment and care, the IAEA already launched the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) and invited full support to that new initiative from all nations.