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ISRRT NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2011
Above right: Dr Eva Lewis-Fuller, Chief Medical Officer
Ministry of Health in Jamaica, far left, and Dr. Jean Dixon,
Permanent Secretary Jamaican Ministry of Health second
from right as we discuss Mammography Workshop.
• Urban Health
• Epilepsy and Malaria
• Reduction of Maternal Mortality and Severe Morbidity
• Comprehensive Child Health
• Reduction of Harmful Use of Alcohol
• Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Diseases
• Substance Use and Public Health
• Framework for Resource Mobilization
• eHealth for the Region of the Americas
• Road Safety
Despite the obvious work still ahead of them, the Pan American
Health Organization has cause for celebrations in that Polio, Rubella,
and Congenital Rubella Syndrome have been eliminated in the
Americas Region. And as you can see from above, one of areas that
the ISRRT can be of great assistance will be in the move towards
eHealth in the Americas Region.
I also had the opportunity to meet with Dr Pablo Jimenez, the
Regional Advisor in Radiological Health for PAHO. Dr Jimenez
is a strong supporter of the ISRRT and has helped spearhead
many much-needed workshops for MRT’s throughout the Latin
American countries. He had just conducted a meeting with
the fifteen Caribbean nations whose organization is known as
CARICOM on the weekend prior to the PAHO meetings. The
majority of the CARICOM nations are classified as being less
developed. In the first part of his presentation to CARICOM,
Dr Jimenez stressed the benefits of radiation uses including the
medical usage of diagnostic and therapy services. He did highlight
research and industrial application as well. Next he emphasised
the risks and the special precautions to protect patients, workers,
the public and the environment. But here he voiced his concerns
on the limited regulatory infrastructure and virtually non-existent
radiation safety in so many areas. At that point Dr Jimenez called
upon Jane Gerardo-Abaya, Program Management Officer from the
Technical Cooperation Department of the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA), to further address the necessary precautions
required in the proper use of radiation and the need for workers to
be cognizant of the reduction of dose. PAHO and the IAEA have
worked together for more than forty years. Ms Gerardo-Abaya
recognised the need of increased quality and safety of radiation
services and the requirement for strengthening regulations in
the Region. She pointed out that the CARICOM states should
consider requesting PAHO and IAEA support in working towards
implementation of proper regulations. Dr Jimenez now expects these
CARICOM Nations to each complete a needs assessment prior to
his WHO meeting in Geneva at the end of November, 2011. Dr
Jimenez’s next steps include workshops that will occur with these
CARICOM nations in early 2012. The intent of the workshops will
be that all stakeholders will determine the 5 year Action Plan for
implementation of the resources, human and equipment, and the
regulation requirements. He has requested that ISRRT be present at
these workshops as one of the PAHO partners.
While attending the PAHO meetings one of my goals was to
achieve further ground work on the Mammography Workshop
planned for 2012 in Jamaica. I was able to discuss this possibility in
detail with both Dr. Jimenez and the Jamaican Ministry of Health
delegation. I am happy to report that it appears to once again be a
very positive educational collaboration with PAHO, the ISRRT and
the Caribbean Region. The ISRRT Director of Education, Cynthia
Cowling, will be very involved in this endeavour.
I also had the opportunity to meet with the members of RAD-
AID while in Washington. RAD-AID was formed by a group of
radiologists through John Hopkins whose mission is to improve and
optimise access to medical imaging and radiology volunteer services
in the underdeveloped regions throughout the world. I met the CEO,
Dr Daniel Mollura and fellow MRT, Kayiba Medlin. I intend to
follow-up further with this organisation on the work they have been
carrying out in Haiti. Kayiba intends to be assisting in Haiti later
this month. I will be able to report back to all of you on this as soon
as I know have more specific details on how we can be involved but
it is certainly evident
that volunteers are still
required.
In closing I would
just like to re-iterate
that maintaining our
close relationship
with PAHO and the
entire World Health
Organization is of the
utmost importance.
Face-to face
interchange is the best
way to achieve our
ongoing collaborative
partnership. It is
certainly clear that we
are all working towards
the improvement of
global health especially
for the less fortunate
nations. I would like
to thank the ISRRT
Board of Management
for allowing me this
opportunity and I look
forward to doing so
annually.
Dr Mirta Roses
Periago, Director of
the Pan American
Sanitary Bureau- an
absolutely amazing
lady!
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