Radiologists equipped to avoid radiation accidents

Medics specialised in radiology have been equipped to promptly respond to accidents or incidents which may occur with the emission of dangerous x-rays during human radiotherapy. The National Radiation Protection Agency set up an emergency plan for all radiologists and technicians in the country.

The first lap of a series of nationwide seminars to disseminate the emergency plan among medical experts started in the economic capital, Douala, October 30. Radiologists and technicians from the public and private health establishments in the Littoral and South West Regions were drilled on how to promptly intervene in situations of human risk from instrument emitting x-rays.

The medics embraced the various aspects of the risks of x-rays during radiotherapy of human beings. To Dr. Ayuk Paul Arrey of the Bonanjo Polyclinic, medics work with rays that are emitted with a lot of energy that can cross the human body. These include standard x-rays instruments, scanners, mammographs, etc.

“We recommend an emergency plan to help reduce effects of the x-rays emitted,” the General Manager of the National Radiation Protection Agency, Dr. Augustin Simo, underscored while opening the seminar. To the Chief of Security Services and Emergency Radiology, Dr. Marie Lydie Rose, explained that rays emitted during radiotherapy can cause cancer. “When the instrument is old or bad it should not be used,” she said, adding that “Carelessly dumping these instruments may be dangerous to the environment and health.”

Cameroon is said to have 350 x-rays generators, 108 radioactive sources (industries like road construction industries) and 656 workers under ionising rays. Put together, they can constitute a significant risk to humans if not properly disposed of.