Substandard radiology machines flood market

Radiology operators in Easter region have complained that Uganda has become a dumping ground for old radiology equipment which expose recipients and operators to ionising radiation and its devastating effects.

In Uganda, ionizing radiation is popularly applied in medical services including CT scans, X-rays, Radiotherapy, nuclear medicine among others, which have become lucrative in the recent days.

These according to experts are a necessary evil which can have devastating effects on humans and the environment if necessary protection and safety measures are not put in place.

This came out clearly during a meeting organised by the Atomic Energy Council (AEC) for radiologists in eastern Uganda.

Some of the participants noted that they are compelled by their profit oriented employers to operate such dangerous equipment.

They appealed to the regulatory body to tighten the noose on importation of substandard equipment in a bid to protect the citizens from exposure.

Noah Deogratias Luwalira, the chief executive officer of AEC noted that the regulatory body has shut down several facilities across the country for noncompliance on safety standards.

He noted that the regulatory body is incapacitated from effectively handling its regulatory work by technology, funding and staffing gaps, adding that necessary steps are being undertaken to bridge the gaps.

"We don't have all the resources that we need to do our work, but these problems are being resolved gradually. We are gradually acquiring equipment and building the human capacity to handle regulatory work in the nuclear energy sector," he said.

Luwalira said that there is an ongoing massive awareness initiative to sensitise the public on the dangers and benefits and risks of ionising atomic radiation technology.

He said: "We are doing a mass sensitisation of the different stake holder so that people know the dangers and benefits arising from the use of this technology which is inevitable if we are to develop as a country."

He urged people to always insist on being shown a certificate from AEC at radiology facilities in Uganda.

Effects of ionising radiation include cancer, hereditary effects, sterility, gene mutation, among other.

The Atomic Energy Council is mandated by the Atomic Energy act No 24 of 2008 to regulate, issue guidelines and increase awareness on safety and protection from ionising radiation.