Online Workshop
Ensuring Access to Nuclear Technology for Human Health, 17 February 2021 15:00 – 17:15 Central European Time (CET)The Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) cordially invites you to attend a workshop on ensuring access to nuclear technology to improve human health with a specific focus on cancer diagnosis and treatment and blood irradiation. The online workshop will take place on Wednesday, 17 February 2021, from 15:00 to 17:15 Central European Time (CET) via WebEx.
Cancer is a growing global health and development challenge. Governments are under increased pressure to meet rising demands from cancer patients for a greater number of affordable high-quality services. Nuclear technology plays a vital role in cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as other medical applications, such as the irradiation of blood and blood components. However, many developing countries have little or no access to these lifesaving technologies.
In Africa, 28 countries do not have a single radiotherapy machine. This workshop will highlight the assistance provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the efforts of its Member States in establishing cancer control programmes and to ensure safe, secure, and sustainable access to the relevant nuclear technologies. The United States will share lessons learned from the accidental caesium contamination in Seattle in 2019. Senegal and Zambia will share their experiences with both gamma technology and alternative technologies. The workshop will consider the benefits, risks and challenges related to the use of these technologies, as well as reflect on the building blocks for a sustainable cancer control programme, and identify steps that can be taken to ensure access to these lifesaving technologies to improve human health.
The VCDNP encourages the recipients of this invitation to circulate it within their networks, including within diplomatic missions, national capitals, and international organisations.
Panellists:
Dr. Kenedy Lishimpi, Director and National Coordinator, Cancer Care Services, Ministry of Health, Zambia
Dr. Magatte Diagne, Radiophysicist, le Dantec Hospital (University Hospital), Senegal
Dr. Lance Garrison, Cesium Irradiator Replacement Project Manager, Office of Radiological Security, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy, United States of America
Dr. Maria del Rosario Perez, Scientist in the Radiation and Health Unit, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, WHO (tbc)
Dr. Debbie Gilley, Radiation Protection Specialist, IAEA. (tbc)
The panel discussion will be moderated by VCDNP Senior Research Associate Ingrid Kirsten.We kindly ask you to RSVP using the online registration form below. Please note that registration will close at midnight CET on 16 February 2021.
The link to join the event will be circulated in the morning of 17 February 2021. Due to limited spacing, we encourage you to register early. The opinions/views expressed by the speakers do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of the VCDNP or its employees. when Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 5:15 PM CET
