The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sent an expert to Tanzania to recruit local radiologists and radiographers on radiation protection in diagnostic and interventional radiology.
"I hope I will be useful to this national training course on radiation protection in diagnostic and interventional radiology" said, Dr. Virginia Tsapaki during the official opening of the course in Arusha.
"Development of radiation protection infrastructures for occupational radiation protection as well as patients, requires continuing efforts involving qualified personnel, resources, know-how, expertise and, of course government commitment" chipped in Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) acting director general Justine Ngaile.
Education, training and continuous professional development, TAEC chief explained, saying those were the key radiological protection issues within the medical use of radiation.
"Our major objective to organise this course is to impart the medical experts with new skills in order to balance health benefits against radiation risks," Ngaile stressed.
The principal Medical Radiographer in the Diagnostic Services Section within the Department of Curative Services in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, James Boyi, said the course came at the right time as the country was preparing itself to adopt the recent approved Medical Radiology and Imaging Professionals Act, 2007.
Following the enactment of the law, Boyi said, a council would be set up soon to regulate and control the activities of medical imaging in the country.
"In medicine, we often promise when we take oath, to do no harm to fellow human beings. This is like wise very important in medical imaging as although we are trying to help patients we may actually harm them if we are not careful" he said in a speech read on his behalf by Dr. Ahmed Josaban of KCMC.
He added: ?We are all aware of small, but definite risks of the hazards of ionising radiations that are used in medical imaging?so it is our first and foremost task to protect our patients?.
The five-day course organised by Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) has drawn nearly 40 radiologists and radiographers from various hospitals in Tanzania Mainland.
TAEC was established under the Atomic Energy Act No. 7 to provide for its functions in relation to the control of the use of ionising and non ionising radiation sources.
It is also mandated to regulate the safe and peaceful use of atomic energy, promote and expand the contribution of atomic energy and nuclear technology to health and prosperity throughout the United Republic of Tanzania.
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