"Nuclear Medicine an important tool in diagnosis-MOH

Ministry of health says nuclear medicine has become an important tool in diagnosis and management of chronic and non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases as well the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

In a speech read on his behalf by the a ministry of health representative WEZI KAONGA, at the regional training course on radiation protection safety in nuclear medicine,  Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya  has said that significant strides in information technology has resulted improved radio pharmacy services in the country.

Dr. Chilufya says that the nuclear medicine services are providing the much needed services to combat the rising cause of mortality and morbidity that has taken place in the country and the world at large.

Dr Chilufya however notes that the use of nuclear medicine in the country has the potential to pose health concerns to personal handling the radioactive sources, patients who undergo procedures involving ionizing radiation as well as the safety of the public and the environment.

Meanwhile Dr. Chilufya has announced that government has future plans to start offering iodine -131 therapy for patients with thyroid cancer.

And Dr. Chilufya has also disclosed that government is scheduled to open  other Nuclear Medicine Units in Ndola and Livingstone respectively.

And speaking at the same function, a radiation protection  specialist at the International Atomic Energy Agency Debbie Gillley has said that nuclear energy has so many health benefits, but should be coupled safety considerations on the patients' radiation protection and that of the health workers.

Ms. Gillley further states that it is in that vein that the need to provide new techniques and abilities to gain insight on radiation protection measures in health.

Ms. Gillley  has since thanked the Zambian government for providing an enabling environment for regional training course on radiation protection safety in nuclear medicine.