IAEA Receives Linear Accelerator Donation to Boost Cancer Care Access in Ethiopia

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has received a linear accelerator (linac) donation from Varian, a Siemens Healthineers Company, to expand access to life-saving cancer treatment in Ethiopia and support the broader fight against global inequities in radiation medicine. The machine will be installed at Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, the country’s largest referral hospital, significantly boosting Ethiopia’s radiotherapy capacity under the IAEA’s flagship Rays of Hope initiative.

A Milestone for Cancer Treatment in Ethiopia

Linear accelerators generate high-energy beams of electrons or X-rays to precisely target cancer cells and tumors while sparing healthy tissue. For patients in Ethiopia—where cancer incidence is rising sharply—the donation represents a crucial step forward.

During his visit to Black Lion Hospital in July 2025, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi saw firsthand the hospital’s struggle to meet demand for radiotherapy. Many patients face long waiting lists, delayed treatments, and limited access to advanced technologies. The new linac will help bridge this gap, enabling the hospital to treat more patients with modern, effective radiotherapy.

Grossi emphasized the broader significance: “The donation from Varian exemplifies the transformative impact of partnering with purpose to deliver cancer care for all. By working together, we are ensuring that life-saving technologies reach the communities that need them the most.”

Varian’s Commitment to Global Cancer Care

Varian, through Siemens Healthineers, has been working with the IAEA to reduce disparities in access to cancer treatment. The company’s CEO for Varian, Arthur Kaindl, underlined this commitment: “Every patient deserves a chance at high-quality treatment. By donating this linear accelerator, we hope to help reduce global disparities in cancer care and bring advanced radiotherapy to patients in low- and middle-income countries who might otherwise not have access.”

The donation was announced at the IAEA General Conference side event “Beyond Boundaries: The Rays of Hope Anchor Centre Network and the Future of Cancer Care”, which brought together government representatives, cancer institutes, professional organizations, and private sector partners.

Global Inequities in Radiotherapy

Despite advances, access to radiotherapy remains one of the starkest inequalities in global health. According to the IAEA’s Directory of Radiotherapy Centres (DIRAC), only 21% of countries worldwide met the minimum requirements for radiotherapy in 2022.

May Abdel-Wahab, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Human Health, explained:

• Low-income countries need eight times more machines than currently available just to meet minimum targets.

• Middle-income countries need twice as many machines as they currently have.

• Globally, half of all cancer patients require radiotherapy at some point, yet many lack access.

In Ethiopia, the challenge is acute. The cancer burden is projected to double by 2045, reaching 176,000 new cases and 122,000 deaths annually, making the need for expanded treatment infrastructure urgent.

The Rays of Hope Initiative

Launched in 2022, the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative addresses these disparities by supporting low- and middle-income countries in establishing or expanding diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, and medical physics services.

Key achievements include:

• Establishing 18 Rays of Hope Anchor Centres in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America, which serve as hubs for education, training, research, and quality assurance.

• Mobilizing over €90 million in donor and partner funding.

• Supporting 90+ countries with technical assistance, equipment, and training.

• Enabling thousands of patients to access care in previously underserved regions.

The linac donation to Ethiopia builds on a practical arrangement signed in September 2023 between Grossi and Siemens Healthineers CEO Bernd Montag, focused on scaling radiation medicine access in low-resource settings.

Looking Ahead

Once installed at Black Lion Hospital, the donated linac will:

• Increase treatment capacity and reduce patient waiting times.

• Strengthen clinical training for Ethiopian oncologists, medical physicists, and technicians.

• Integrate into Ethiopia’s long-term cancer control strategy, which requires scaling infrastructure and human resources to meet growing demand.

The IAEA’s vision is to create a global network of cancer care, where no patient is denied treatment because of geography or income.

“Despite progress, equipment shortages remain a major challenge,” Abdel-Wahab noted. “This donation, and Rays of Hope more broadly, can transform outcomes by bringing modern cancer care where it is needed most.”