On March 10, 2023, in the framework of WiN Tajikistan activity the round table on the topic: “Radiation safety in medicine and radiation therapy in palliative care” has been held by Sharofova Mizhgona - Ph.D., vice-president of WiN Tajikistan.

Two presentations were presented to the attention of WiN Tajikistan’s members. Khakimova Nodira, Ph.D., senior researcher of CBRN Safety and Security Agency, made a presentation on the topic “Radiation Safety in Medicine,” in which she spoke about the fundamentals of radiation safety, annual doses of medical workers and shared interesting cases from her professional practices.

Khakimova Nodira also noted that due to existing risks, the field of application of ionizing radiation in medicine requires special and careful monitoring of protection both patients and personnel.The powerful use of radiation technology in diagnosis and treatment is gradually opening up almost unlimited possibilities for medicine. The greater the power, the greater the responsibility, which is to comply with the rules and regulations for the use of ionizing radiation. In order to obtain permission to conduct any activity using sources of ionizing radiation (IRS) in medicine, it is necessary to adhere to legal standards. In addition, the qualifications of medical and technical personnel performing diagnostic or therapeutic medical irradiation procedures must be sufficiently high. Annual verification of equipment, the presence of a quality control system for radiation diagnostic or treatment methods, certification of X-ray and radionuclide diagnostic and radiotherapeutic equipment, as well as methods of radiation diagnostics and therapy are also included in the list of required documentation for obtaining permission to work with radiation sources.

Presentation by Nigora Abidzhanova - Ph.D., consultant-expert of National Association of Palliative Care of the Republic of Tajikistan, assistant of Department of Oncology and Radiation Therapy, TSMU named after Abuali ibn Sino was devoted to the basics of palliative care, the role of radiation therapy in reducing the pain syndrome of cancer patients, and difficulties faced by patients needed the palliative care. 

It was noted that high-quality palliative care is an integral element of the World Health Organization's framework for integrated, people-centred health care, which was endorsed by the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly in 2016. The relevance of issues related to palliative care in the modern world increases every year.

Medicines needed for palliative care, including painkillers, are on the WHO list of essential medicines for adults and children and should be available to everyone who needs them. In the Republic of Tajikistan, palliative care is included in the Health Code and is studied at all levels of training of medical workers. Nigora’s presentation aroused great interest among the round table participants; many questions were asked.

At the end of her presentation, Nigora Abidzhanova showed both interesting and informative videos “About radiation therapy in 60 seconds” and “Last lecture”.

Nigora Abidzhanova, in addition to very interesting and necessary information, also provided each participant of this event with memorable gifts with a logo and the inscription - “National Association of Palliative Care of the Republic of Tajikistan” (electronic media with information about their activities, notepads, and pens) and a very beautiful and valuable book "Merosi niyogon" in Tajik and English langages.