Radiotherapy Resources in Central Asia: An International Atomic Energy Agency Update.

Purpose: Radiation therapy is crucial in cancer treatment. However, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan), face increasing challenges because of limited radiation oncology resources, compounded by diverse health care systems and vast geography.

Methods: A longitudinal, registry-based review analyzed the state of radiation oncology resources in Central Asia to assess current conditions and future needs, considering projected regional growth. Data were sourced from the Directory of Radiotherapy Centres (DIRAC) and GLOBOCAN 2020. A simple linear regression evaluated the relationship between machine capacity rate and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.

Results: As of 2022, the region has 75 megavoltage machines and 35 brachytherapy (BT) units, with all but two being high-dose rate BT. The number of megavoltage units per million population varies, ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, and it is 2.3 in Kazakhstan. A significant correlation between GNI per capita and machine capacity was found (R² = 0.89, P = .014), indicating that higher GNI correlates with increased machine capacity. By 2030, a minimum of 115 megavoltage machines will be needed to meet demand, but only 75 are available as of 2022.

Conclusion: While progress has been made, there remain significant challenges to ensuring equitable access to radiation therapy across Central Asia, underscoring the need for additional resources to meet growing demands.