Pan9012: Fortalecimiento de la Infraestructura Nacional para la Seguridad Radiológica.

Radiation protection of workers and the public

The Country Programme Framework (CPF) highlights several gaps in the area of radiation protection and safety in subsection 2.2. of the document: "[...] development of institutional policies and strategic plans to strengthen health institutions in the area of nuclear medicine, radiodiagnosis, PET, radiotherapy, [...] occupationally exposed personnel, co-workers and the general public. In addition, academic programmes will need to be established [...] to train personnel in this area [...]." As envisaged in the CPF, several Thematic Safety Areas will be addressed through this project. It involves the update and implementation of the regulatory integrated management system, the development of the country’s capacity to measure personal occupational exposure, and the improvement of radiation protection programs in medical facilities. In order to strengthen the regulatory authority, the integrated management system will be reviewed and updated according to international standards. Currently, comprehensive radiation protection programs are being implemented at reference hospitals. To follow up, these programs need to be evaluated and the users will need additional training. In Panama, the production of radioisotopes for medical applications is taking place without adequate measurement of waste levels discharge to the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to carry-out a safety analysis in this type of facilities. The regulatory authority has established requirements for radiation protections officers, depending on the category of practice. However, as a follow-up, there is the need to conduct an integral diagnostic process to identify current needs of trained personnel at users’ facilities to ensure an adequate safety culture. This project builds on the achievements under PAN9010 that contributed to capacity-building in emergency preparedness and response prior to the World Youth Day in January 2019, capacity-building in the establishment.