Egypt's Ministry of Health Advances Medical Radiation Safety Regulatory Review in Cooperation with IAEA

On July 31, Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population stated that it reaffirmed its critical role in improving Egypt's national radiation safety system during a 12-day Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The IRRS mission, involving a team of international experts and reviewers, was conducted at the invitation of the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA). Egyptian authorities stated that this step is part of the country's ongoing efforts to strengthen its national radiation safety framework and enhance its regulatory infrastructure in line with the latest international standards.

The Ministry of Health and Population submitted a topical report through the Radiation Protection Executive Office of the General Department of Radiology, detailing its responsibilities in regulating and supervising the use of medical radiation, including ensuring the safety of patients, healthcare workers, and the public, as well as improving the quality and efficiency of medical services.

The report highlighted the Ministry's licensing, inspection, and regulatory framework for medical radiation facilities and related practices, and described the mechanisms for conducting ongoing oversight of medical institutions to ensure compliance with radiation safety requirements.

The report also noted that the Ministry is strengthening coordination with the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority and other relevant bodies to promote the development of a more efficient and sustainable regulatory system.

Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population stated that it will review and implement the recommendations made during the IRRS mission, developing a clear and sustainable action plan to further enhance the efficiency of Egypt's national radiation safety system and achieve higher levels of safety in medical radiation use. The Ministry stated that this participation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, with relevant ministry officials and radiation protection experts involved in the mission coordination and reporting.