Nassarious Nimbashabira, the Principal Radiation Protection Officer in the Atomic Energy Council, says that the move is intended to protect society and the environment from the dangers of ionizing radiation.
The Atomic Energy Council of Uganda has warned to close substandard imaging facilities and arrest unlicensed
Radiographers. The
council has also warned to revoke the
licenses of imaging centers
using unqualified personnel and faulty
equipment.
Nassarious Nimbashabira, the Principal
Radiation Protection Officer in the Atomic Energy Council, says that the move is intended to protect society and the environment from the dangers of ionizing
radiation.
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He says they have also discovered that the majority of the
operators don't service their machines regularly as required, which has exposed patients to irreversible
body effects resulting from radiation.
Dr. Peter Sebutinde, the Mbarara District Health Officer has tasked the Atomic Energy Council
to establish regional
offices where their challenges can be attended to quickly.
Jones Biira, a Radiographer, Kagando hospital, says that they want the Atomic Energy Council to provide
radiographers with expert engineers to help them understand and operate their machines better.
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According to the 2019 Atomic Energy Council report, there are 299 licensed Imaging centers in
Uganda However, Nimbashabira says the
number of imaging facilities has increased nationwide, with many of them operating illegally.
The
Atomic Energy
Council,
which started in 2009 is mandated with registering and licensing any person
planning to set up an imaging facility in
Uganda. The council is also mandated to ensure a safe housing facility and qualified personnel operate the machines.
