A regional workshop on implementation and use of clinical imaging referral guidelines for Africa was held in Cairo, Egypt, from 13th to 16th of December 2015. The workshop was organized as part of the IAEA Technical Cooperation regional project, RAF9053, which aims at strengthening technical capabilities for patient and occupational radiation protection in member states in the African region. The workshop focused on addressing the nature of imaging referral guidelines and the approaches of successful deployment and use of the guidelines.
Focusing on ‘teach-the-teachers’, the workshop was comprised of number of lectures, presentations, discussions, and a visit to a national facility. The participants identified good practices and sought strategies for improvement through extensive discussions. It has been acknowledged that referral guidelines should be implemented nationally and sub-regionally and efforts should be put in adapting, adopting, and deploying the guidelines.
30 representatives from 17 member states and 5 experts participated in the workshop. It was supported by the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation, Africa Division and Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety Division; the WHO Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health; Afrosafe and the Government of Egypt. The workshop was conducted in both English and French.