International experts coming to check on radiation leaks at cancer centre

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be in this country at the end of the month to review patients at the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre.

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan disclosed this Thursday at the Post Cabinet Media Briefing. He said the IAEA will examine the patients affected by an overdose of radiation to gauge possible effects from the exposure.

"They have indicated that they will be coming here to look at the 223 patient exposure and they have given us a preliminary report that anything above 10% is considered over-radiation to the body itself," Khan told reporters.

"So as a result of that, we have to look at the over-radiation and exposure to different outcomes, soft tissues, the spine, because the effects of radiation take a while to show itself. So these patients will have to be followed for as long as 5 years or 6-7 years," he added.

Minister Khan also confirmed that Trinidad and Tobago will invest $1 million to join the International Atomic Energy Agency in January 2012.

Khan also confirmed that Cabinet has approved a proposal for a National Radiation Protection Policy based on the report of a Working Group of Radiation Protection.

"We...will be establishing protocols to include dose limits for medical, occupational and public exposures, develop medical surveillance systems for radiation workers." he said.