Concerns have been raised about the operation of over 30 health facilities using radiation sources without the necessary licenses, posing potential risks to both patients and healthcare operators in the central region of Uganda.
The Atomic Energy Council (AEC) has identified these non-compliant facilities, which include clinics and hospitals utilizing mobile, portable, and fixed x-ray machines, intra-oral dental x-ray machines, and computed tomography x-ray machines.
The AEC issued a notice on December 15, 2023, urging non-compliant facilities to obtain clearance and implement minimum radiation safety measures promptly. Mr. Noah Deogratias Luwalira, the CEO and secretary of the AEC, emphasized that facilities with expired licenses should renew them immediately. Notable among the health units with expired licenses are Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mityana General Hospital, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Max Dental Clinic Nakasero, Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Rakai Hospital, and Butenga Health Center IV.
The December notice also called upon the public to report any facility operating radiation-generating devices without proper licenses and abandoned radioactive sources. However, the listed health facilities have expressed mixed reactions, asserting the difficulty of owning and operating radio-generating devices without clearance from the AEC.
Charles Tumushiime, the administrator of Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, clarified that the facility possesses a licensed x-ray machine approved by the Council. He questioned the inclusion of the hospital on the list of institutions operating unlicensed x-ray machines. Dr. Evelyn Nabunya, the director of Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, redirected inquiries to the Council, claiming not to have received the notice accusing them of operating an unauthorized computed tomography x-ray machine.
Dr. Stephen Kyambadde, the director of Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, expressed unawareness of the notice but pledged to respond after obtaining a copy. Efforts to reach the administrator at Mityana Hospital were unsuccessful by the time of press, as his known telephone contact was unreachable.
As of December 12, 2023, Uganda had 317 licensed/authorized facilities to use radiation sources, while 104 facilities had expired licenses. Additionally, 51 institutions were operating without licenses, with a concentration in the central region. The AEC conducts regular inspections to monitor the use of radiation-generating equipment in registered facilities, including health units, to prevent health-related hazards resulting from exposure.
