Oleg Sukonko and Christopher Paul Wild
Several hours before the launch of the event, the Director of the Republican Scientific-Practical Centre of Oncology and Medical Radiology (named after N.N. Alexandrov), Oleg Sukonko, joined the Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Christopher Paul Wild, in signing a memorandum on co-operation. This will become a landmark for joint scientific studies, with Belarus joining international projects overseen by the Agency. Specialists will focus on early diagnostic screening of tumours (linked to exposure to Chernobyl radiation), our doctors supported by foreign partners in assessing the efficiency of current screening programmes. The international meeting opened with a speech by the Deputy Prime Minister, Natalia Kochanova, who read the President’s message to participants. Belarus has grounds for pride in treating cancers, no longer needing to send patients abroad for treatment. Meanwhile, 62 percent of drugs used to treat cancer are produced domestically. An incredible 93.8 percent of patients diagnosed with first stage cancer survive, and over 36 percent of those diagnosed at fourth stage.
Mikhail Davydov, who is the Chief Oncologist of the Russian Federation and the President of the Association for Directors of Institutes of Oncology and Radiology of CIS & Eurasia (ADIOR), has recognised these achievements by awarding Natalia Kochanova, as well as Health Minister Vasily Zharko and Oleg Sukonko with first degree diplomas and with N.N. Blokhin golden medals (the highest award of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the field of oncology).
By Olga Pasiyak
