Country Report – Pakistan Department of Medical Physics IAEA/RCA National Project Coordinators Meeting to Review the Status of Medical Physics in the Region, Dhaka, Bangladesh 26-28 May 2008 Country Report – Pakistan By Riaz Hussain Pricipal Scientist Department of Medical Physics NORI, Islamabad Pakistan

Historical Background Radiation oncology and Nuclear Medicine centers were established in Pakistan by PAEC in late 50’s. Initially the physicists for nuclear medical centers were sent abroad for trainings. In early 80’s PAEC started certificate courses in Medical/Health Physics to produce physicists for its hospitals. These courses were run on as and when required basis.

Historical Background Two year M. Sc. Medical Physics degree course was started in 2001 at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIEAS). PIEAS is producing Medical Physics graduates at an average rate of 15 per year. During the course of studies at PIEAS each student is sent to hospital for 4 months for clinical training.

Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Facilities in the Country From administrative point of view there are three categories: Hospitals owned by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). Hospitals under the control of ministries of health of central and provincial governments. Hospitals in private sector. Military hospitals Majority of the radiation oncology and nuclear medicine centers are run by PAEC.

Legal Requirements for a Qualified Medical Physicist The minimum legal requirement as defined by Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) for a person to be qualified Medical Physicist are: M. Sc Medical Physics degree or M. Sc degree in Physics with at least 6 months certificate course in the relevant field from PIEAS or M. Sc. Degree in Physics with at least 6 months clinical training in one of the well equipped medical centers of PAEC.

Radiation Oncology Equipment Approximate number of equipment in radiation oncology are: Linear accelerators 25 Co-60 units 20 Radiotherapy simulators 20 Brachytherapy units 5 Treatment planning systems 20

Medical Physicists Approximate number of Medical Physicists working in different hospitals and teaching institutions are: PAEC Hospitals 50 Health Department 10 Private Hospitals 10 Army Hospital 2 Teaching at PIEAS 6 Total 78

Problems for Medical Physicists No medical physics society exists in the country. Clinical training of medical physicists, especially, for those working in health department and private hospitals, is in-sufficient and not structured. The clinical trainings are too generalized. There is no certification body which can asses the level of training and give accreditation to clinically qualified physicists.

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