Current Status of Theranostics in West Asia: A Country-based Surveillance Study.

Abstract

This surveillance study examined the status of theranostics in West Asia, analyzing data from 15 countries. The research assessed availability, production, coverage, staff density, infrastructure density, financial and political impacts. All surveyed countries except Yemen offered theranostic services, with 452 centers and 1,426 theranostic physicians across the region. Over half of the countries reported densities exceeding one theranostician, nuclear medicine technologist, physicist, and nurse per million inhabitants. Scientific and social activities were available in nine and ten countries, respectively. Countries with gross domestic product (GDP) below $200 billion showed significantly lower infrastructure and manpower resources, particularly in cyclotron availability and theranostic agents (p < 0.05), compared to those with higher GDP. Politically stable countries demonstrated statistically higher densities of theranostic personnel than unstable nations (p < 0.05). The study emphasizes the importance of collaboration between model countries and those lacking adequate services to enhance theranostic practice and availability in West Asia.