Moldova Advances Efforts to Address Childhood and Other Cancers

A review by IAEA and partners has found that Moldova has taken significant steps to tackle childhood and other cancers and set out recommendations to strengthen services for vulnerable populations as the country prepares its National Cancer Control Programme 2026-2030.

Cancer remains a main public health challenge in Moldova, with nearly 15 000 new cases and more than 8 000 deaths annually. The Government has declared cancer control a national priority, with a focus on upgrading care infrastructure and the availability of diagnostic and treatment technologies.

The imPACT review, conducted by the IAEA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC), evaluated Moldova's cancer control capacities across the full spectrum of care - from prevention and early detection to treatment and palliative care.

As part of a new global partnership between the IAEA and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to strengthen paediatric radiation oncology, the review also assessed childhood cancer services.

The international team of experts underlined opportunities to improve cancer governance in Moldova, aligning with good practices and strategies in the European region. They also recommended actions to strengthen human resources for cancer control, including paediatric oncology, and partnerships that could support health financing.

"This is a new era for our oncology system - one in which decisions are no longer fragmented but based on an independent vision anchored to the best international standards," said Moldova's Minister of Health Emil Ceban at the opening of the imPACT review mission in November 2025.