NCI Acts as Catalyst for New Middle East Cancer Consortium

BETHESDA, Md--The National Cancer Institute has orchestrated anagreement between the Ministers of Health of Cyprus, Egypt, Israel,Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority. The five ministers recentlygathered in Geneva to sign the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC)agreement.

Witnessing the signing were Donna Shalala, Secretary of Healthand Human Services, and NCI Director Richard Klausner. AlthoughMECC funding will come from its members, the NIH will also contributeinitial financial support.

The MECC will focus on cancer surveillance, information, and education.This is extremely important since few countries in the MiddleEast maintain cancer registries, the NCI said.

The MECC will also work to improve physician training, conductbasic and clinical research, enhance public health and patientcare, institute quality control programs, and develop guidelinesand protocols. Other countries in the Middle East are free tojoin the Consortium in the future.