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Chernobyl:
Red Cross Red Crescent thyroid cancer detection programme can prevent
hundreds of premature deaths 18 April 2006 Twenty years after Chernobyl, the world’s worst nuclear accident, the number of cases of thyroid cancer among those who were children at the time of the disaster continues to increase markedly. The explosion of the nuclear power plant, on 26 April 1986, irradiated vast areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Scientists predict the rise in cancer cases will continue to peak over the next five years, while remaining a major health problem for years to come. Through its Chernobyl Humanitarian Assistance and Rehabilitation Programme (CHARP), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is screening rural and remote populations in the irradiated zone for thyroid cancer, through palpation, ultrasound examinations and biopsies. “Since 1997, the CHARP programme has detected 1,120 cases of thyroid cancer. Of these, only two people have died. Early diagnosis of thyroid cancer ensures excellent rates of cure,” explains Markku Niskala, Secretary General of the International Federation. “The advantage we offer is that the Red Cross works in remote areas, reaching affected populations in villages where these vital services do not exist. Once the thyroid cancer is confirmed by the laboratory, the cases are referred for treatment at health facilities in near-by cities. For these reasons, the examinations save hundreds of lives every year.” Using six mobile diagnostic laboratories (MDLs) staffed by national Red Cross medical personnel, CHARP provides medical screening to 90,000 people per year. Three MDLs work in the Brest, Gomel and Mogilev regions of Belarus, two in the Rovno and Zhitomir regions of Ukraine and one in the Bryansk region of the Russian Federation. All six MDLs conduct on-the-spot “fine needle” biopsies in the field on suspected cases of thyroid cancer, giving a reliable, rapid and life-saving diagnosis. Since its inception in 1990, the CHARP programme has assisted more than three million people, screened almost 810,000 and provided millions more with medicine, multivitamins, health information and psychological support. Each year, CHARP ensures some 50,000 children receive multivitamins through the Red Cross Societies of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Annually it also provides vital psychological support to some 15,000 people, who suffer from depression and anxiety. The World Health Organization says the mental health impact of Chernobyl is the largest public health problem caused by an accident to date.According to the United Nations, about seven million people continue to live in highly contaminated areas in Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. “We must not forget them,” underlines Federation President Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro. “Although current large-scale crises and catastrophes push the humanitarian needs of the victims of older disasters, such as Chernobyl, out of the media limelight, the shadow of Chernobyl still hovers over future generations. The effects of the irradiation will continue for many more years and it is imperative to maintain a sustainable screening programme, in order to reduce deaths by early detection.” “As with all major disasters, no one agency or body can do the job alone. We need to join our international efforts,” notes Miro Modrusan, desk officer responsible for the CHARP programme. “The Federation, and the Red Cross Societies of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, remain fully committed to supporting the humanitarian efforts of governments in the region for the affected populations. The Federation is also firmly engaged in continuing its excellent coordination with the UNDP, through initiatives such as the International Chernobyl Research and Information Network and as observers in the Quadripartite Coordination Committee.” The Federation is extremely concerned about decreasing funding trends for this programme. It is seeking urgent (1.2 million Swiss francs for 2006-7) and long-term funding to sustain CHARP, until the screening functions of the mobile labs can be gradually integrated into the national health systems over the coming years. The appeal is currently 50% covered, thanks to a donation from the Irish government, of 500,000 Euros over three years. Web link to appeal: http://www.ifrc.org/cgi/pdf_appeals.pl?annual06/MAA67002.pdf For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Kiev, Joe Lowry, Kiev Delegation Tel: + 380 44 27 86 110 / mobile + 380 67 44 31 657 In Minsk, Elena Nyanenkova, Minsk Delegation Tel: + 375 17 221 72 37mobile: + 375 29 680 96 33 In Geneva, Marie-Françoise Borel, Media officer, Tel. + 41 22 730 43 46 / mobile + 41 79 217 33 45 Duty phone Tel. + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 183 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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