Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA
Also in June, Tunisia transferred 50 brachytherapy needles and tubes from the Oncology Institute of Tunis, as well as 75 foils formerly used in lightning rods. Like all previous transfers, the operation in Tunisia was conducted in accordance with strict safety protocols, with no contamination detected throughout the process.
“The operational strategy was developed based on the experience gained from the removal and repatriation of six disused cobalt-60 sources performed from 2022 to 2024 with support from the United States Department of Energy’s Office of Radiological Security,” said Latifa Ben Omrane, Director General of Tunisia’s National Centre for Radiation Protection (CNRP). “This radium-226 source transfer operation was successfully conducted thanks to effective coordination among several organizations, including the CNRP, the Ministry of Health, local logistics and transport company, customs and airport staff and the IAEA.”
Several more transfers are planned for 2025 from countries including Croatia, the Dominican Republic, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Lebanon, Malaysia, the Philippines and Zimbabwe.