On Oct. 12, Kazakhstan’s National Research Oncology Center (NROC) and Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B.) signed a memorandum of cooperation, the country’s Ministry of Healthcare reported.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Healthcare Akmaral Alnazarova discussed prospects for joint projects with members of a Belgian delegation in Astana. Representatives of IBA, Spentys, Ugani, Ecosteryl and D-Teach, as well as H.U.B. and Belgian business associations, also took part in the talks.
Kazakhstan looks to expand proton therapy
The parties discussed expanding the use of proton therapy, improving cancer diagnosis and treatment, and training medical specialists.
Central Asia’s first proton therapy center is already operating in Kazakhstan. The country is also expanding its positron emission tomography (PET) center network and plans to establish five new oncology centers by 2029.
Belgium’s IBA has been cooperating with Kazakhstan for more than a decade. It presented opportunities for further development of proton therapy. Five IBA-manufactured cyclotrons are already in use in the country.
Partners visit NROC
As part of the visit, representatives of H.U.B. and IBA Group visited NROC.
The Kazakhstani side presented the center’s capabilities in proton therapy, nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical production.
H.U.B. representatives shared their experience in cancer treatment, scientific research and new treatment methods.
Prosthetics and medical waste disposal
Alongside oncology, the parties explored opportunities to introduce Belgian technologies in other areas of healthcare.
Spentys and Ugani presented solutions for prosthetic and orthopedic care, while D-Teach outlined options for remote training of healthcare professionals.
The parties also discussed technologies for safely treating and disinfecting medical waste without incineration, including at healthcare facilities.
IBA Group discussed equipment operation, maintenance and servicing with NROC management, including for the cyclotron. They also discussed prospects for expanding radiopharmaceutical production in Kazakhstan.