Monitoring Strategy for Public Exposure in Nuclear Medical Facilities in Nigeria

Abstract

Monitoring Strategy for Public Exposure in Nuclear Medical Facilities in Nigeria The major aim of the seminar is to acquaint participants with the concept of monitoring for public exposure in a planned exposure situation for medical facilities using ionizing radiation. The presentation offers a general insight to monitoring public radiation exposure for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in facilities of nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, and diagnostic radiology in planned exposure situations. Furthermore, it contains radiological monitoring activities for public exposure undertaken in a Nuclear medicine facility for reviewing and assessing the overall effectiveness of radiation protection. The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) is empowered by law to monitor medical facilities in Nigeria which makes use of ionizing radiation and other research cum activities with applications in Nuclear medicine. The Radiation Safety Regulation on Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology 2006 regulates practitioners of Nuclear Medicine clearly stating process to be followed in obtaining a practicing license. According to the RAIS system, the number of licensed medical facilities using ionizing radiation in Nigeria is One Hundred and Thirty Eight with Diagnostic Radiology (X-Ray) generators numbering One Hundred and Twenty, Radiotherapy (Brachtherapy or External Beam Therapy) numbering Eight and Nuclear Medicine(Technetium Generators, SPECT/Gamma camera, Cyclotron, PET) being Ten in number. Members of the public are liable to radiation exposure in medical facilities in two major way which are not unconnected from the practice of nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. Hence, it is pertinent that standard steps are taken in monitoring such facilities. In carrying out monitoring activities for such facilities, the Inspector has to ensure that he conducts independent source, environmental and individual monitoring in nuclear medicine; perform source monitoring in diagnostic radiological facilities; and conduct source monitoring in radiotherapy facilities. All other activities he may undertake fall under the above. In conclusion, radiation protection of the public will be efficiently utilized by shielding of the radiation sources, proper design of a facility, access restriction and followed by safe working procedures of the staff members. The optimal work of the monitoring inspector is riddled by a number of challenges from non submission of radiological monitoring program and records to non-availability of standby decontamination kits. However, the Authority hopes to conquer these challenges by embarking on a holistic and comprehensive programme which would feature corrective enforcement actions and availability of decontamination kits and its allied consumables. Seminar presented by Ekeocha E. Christabel