The status of radiation protection in medicine in the Asia-Pacific region

Ng KH 1 , Brady Z 2 , Ng AH 3 , Soh HS 4 , Chou YH 5 , Varma D 6

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Biomedical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Radiology Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  • 3 Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Putrajaya, Malaysia
  • 4 Medical Radiation Surveillance Division, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Technology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan
  • 6 Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol, 2021 Jul;65(4):464-470.
PMID: 33606359 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13165

Abstract

More than half of the world's population live in Asia-Pacific. This region is culturally diverse, with significant disparities in terms of socio-economic status, provision of health care and access to advanced technology. The medical use of ionising radiation is increasing worldwide and similarly within the Asia-Pacific region. In this paper, we highlight the current status in usage of ionising radiation in medicine in the region, and review the legal framework, implementation and activities in radiation protection. Asia-Pacific countries are active in strengthening radiation protection by promoting education and training. Various projects and activities initiated by international organisations such as the IAEA, WHO and ICRP have provided stimulation in the region, but more work is needed to continue to improve protection practices.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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