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The Board, Management and Staff of The Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ) would like to congratulate The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Reward Severa, for being the 1^st runner-up Winner of the prestigious 2017 Megafest Award for Thought Leader of the year. Through your able and innovative stewardship, RPAZ has become an international hub of excellence in the Nuclear Scientific field, and we continue to strive towards attaining our vision of being an internationally acclaimed regulator in the field of radiation protection by 2025.

Congratulations, Makorokoto, Amhlope.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has published its bulletin on Nuclear Security: Commitments and Actions. The IAEA’s mission is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to help all countries — especially in the developing world — benefit from the peaceful, safe and secure use of nuclear science and technology. This edition of the IAEA Bulletin highlights the different areas of security where the IAEA’s work is making a real difference. An extract from this bulletin is its mission to The Republic of Zimbabwe to help strengthen the nuclear security detection architecture  at the country’s points of entry and exit.

For more information, please download the following documents:

• IAEA Bulletin on Nuclear security at Zimbabwe’s borders

• Full IAEA Bulletin

To raise awareness about the role of medical physicists, The Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe joins all Medical Physicists in celebrating the International Day of Medical Physics. joins the medical physics community to celebrate the International Day of Medical Physics (IDMP) on November 7, an important date for medical physics.
Medical Physics is the application of physics to medicine. It uses physics concepts and procedures in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.  Medical Physics fulfils an important role in medicine, in biological and medical research, and in the optimisation of certain health related activities. Medical Physics includes areas such as Radiotherapy physics, Diagnostic Radiology physics, Nuclear Medicine Physics, and Radiation Protection.  Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine are often grouped in what is termed as “Diagnostic Imaging”, although there are therapeutic aspects of Nuclear Medicine associated with Radiation Therapy.  Other areas of interest in Medical Physics include the measurement of ionising radiation, magnetic resonance imaging, and the application of lasers, ultrasound, and other technologies which utilise physics concepts as applied to medicine.  The scope of duties of medical physicists covers a wide array of activities in modern hospitals where radiation technology is used. As part of a team of health professionals, medical physicists play a central role in assuring the safe and effective use of radiation in medicine.  These goals of quality are achieved through the use of QA/QC protocols in the context of radiation-related technologies, radiation therapy dose planning and verification, diagnostic image optimization and dose reduction, and data management and analysis, all of which are based on an in depth understanding of radiation physics principles and radiation technology. The information presented here is aimed at providing the practicing medical physicist with a resource of practical material, as well as guidance for working in clinical situations. Furthermore, some of the materials are very useful in the support of teaching programs.

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In line with the national workshop to update the Concepts of Operations and Standard Operating Procedures for nuclear security detection which was conducted at the Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls from the 10^th to the 14^th of October 2016, the Government of Zimbabwe received nuclear security detection equipment from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during the course of the workshop. The equipment is aimed at strengthening the nuclear security detection architecture in Zimbabwe and as part of the initial phase, the equipment will be installed at three national points of entry and exit which are two border posts [Beitbridge and Chirundu] and the Harare International Airport.

The Chairman of the National Nuclear Security Committee, Mr Justin Hugh Mupamhanga who is the Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet received the equipment on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe. Mr Mupamhanga expressed his gratitude to the IAEA delegation and to the IAEA at large for taking such a great initiative to help combat illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials in Zimbabwe.

The Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ) being the regulatory body in line with this project, will facilitate and oversee the installation of the nuclear security detection equipment and will support through the success of the project.

Photo Credits: courtesy of IAEA Photographer, Mr Dean Calma

Victoria Falls: A 5-day national workshop to update the Concepts of Operations and Standard Operating Procedures for nuclear security detection was conducted at the Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls from the 10^th to the 14^th of October 2016. The workshop which is part of phase one of the implementation of the national project on strengthening the nuclear security detection architecture in Zimbabwe, was organised by the Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This project which is in three phases will result in all 13 points of entry and exits (border points) and 4 international airports being equipped with nuclear security detection equipment.

Nuclear security detection capabilities are essential towards ensuring the safety and security of people and the environment against the risks associated with nuclear and other radioactive materials out of regulatory control. Illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials besides posing a security threat to the country, the region and the world at large also compromises the safety and health of front-line officers in particular the customs officials who will be handling these materials unknowingly.

Workshop participants were drawn from the National Nuclear Security stakeholders; Office of the President and Cabinet, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Department of Forensics, Department of Civil Protection among others.

The delegation from the IAEA was led by Ms Noor Fitriah Bakri, Nuclear Security Officer responsible for Zimbabwe’ nuclear seurity detection project and Ms Danielle Dahlstrom, Nuclear Security Outreach Officer, and Dr Mirza Bin Mohamed from the Royal Malaysian Customs Authority.

The workshop was officially opened by the Chairman of the National Nuclear Security Committee, Mr Justin Hugh Mupamhanga who is the Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet. Mr Mupamhanga remarked that, “Zimbabwe by virtue of its geographical position within the region enjoys a lot of transit shipment, this detection infrastructure ensures that we eliminate illicit trafficking of nuclear materials and other radioactive sources outside regulatory control.” He expressed the Government of Zimbabwe’s desire to be the centre of excellence in Africa in the area of nuclear security to further contribute to improved nuclear security in the region.

Photo Credits: courtesy of IAEA Photographer, Mr Dean Calma

August 2, 2016, International Atomic Energy Agency Headquarters, Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria

Chief Executive Officer of the Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe, Mr Reward Severa met the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr Yukiya Amano to discuss the cooperation between the Agency and the Government of Zimbabwe particularly in the area of nuclear security. Mr Severa was leading a delegation of national nuclear security stakeholders. The delegation was in Vienna to finalise the project on Development of Sustainable National Nuclear Security Detection Capability.

The project will see the country further strengthening its security at points of entry and exit by introducing instrumentation detection capabilities for nuclear and radioactive materials. The capability will go a long way in dealing with nuclear materials and other radioactive materials out of regulatory control. Zimbabwe, a signatory to the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty, the African Nuclear Weapons Free-Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty) and the Ban on the Import into Africa and the Control of Trans boundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Waste into Africa (Bamako Convention) is committed to the peaceful uses of nuclear and radiation technologies and ensuring that such technology is not diverted to non-peaceful uses.

Zimbabwe utilises nuclear and radiation technology in the health sector through diagnostic and interventional radiology, radiotherapy for treatment of cancer, nuclear medicine for diagnosis and treatment; in agriculture through development of new crop varieties which are better yielding, drought resistant and have shorter maturity times, eradication of tsetse flies through use of the sterile insect technique (SIT), diagnosis and treatment of zoonotic diseases, in industry through non-destructive testing, nuclear gauging and automation of manufacturing processes through use of nuclear technologies for data acquisition among many other applications.

Having measures that ensure that materials out of regulatory control can be detected goes a long way in ensuring that the country and society continues to benefit from the technology without denial of use that can result from the employment of the technology for terroristic activities. Zimbabwe is an active member of the Incident and Illicit Trafficking Database run by the International Atomic Energy Agency, a database that compiles data of materials out of regulatory control and aims to minimise such incidences. The success of the current project will go a long way in further enhancing the stewardship of radioactive materials which should run from “cradle to grave”, that is starting from the manufacturing of radioactive materials to their final disposal to ensure the protection of people and the environment against harmful effects of radiation.

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Photo Credits: courtesy of IAEA Photographer, Mr Dean Calma.

HARARE: The International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] has once again shown its confidence in the operations of the Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe [RPAZ] by offering a two- week sponsorship to four fellows from Africa to understudy RPAZ’s Inspectors in an effort to enhance inspection activities in regulatory bodies.

The fellows are Ms Linda K Hamvula (Zambia), Mr Mushaukwa Liswani Kabuku (Zambia), Mr Orlando Soto (Mozambique) and Ms Adelaide Francisco (Mozambique).

 Some of the areas to be covered during the two-week inspections programme include:

• Overview of the National Regulatory Framework for radiation safety
  1. Legislation (Radiation Protection Act [Chapter 15:15], its development and proposed changes;
  2. Establishment of the regulatory framework and its evolution;
  3. Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe :Overview of the Structure, functions and strategic focus;
  4. Resourcing of the regulatory body (human and financial resources);
  5. National Cooperation and coordination (National Committees, Memoranda of Understanding).
  6. Functions of the regulatory body
• Inspection Function
  1. Management system for inspections
  2. Policies and procedures
  3. Inspection guides, checklists
  4. Preparation for inspections
  5. Simulation of Entrance and exit meetings
  6. Scheduled inspections
• Medical facilities

1. Radiotherapy Centre
2. Nuclear Medicine facility
3. Diagnostic radiology facility (General x-ray, CT, Fluoroscopy)
4. Mammography Facility

• Industrial facilities

1. Manufacturing plant – level gauging
2. Process automation plant – density gauges
3. Non-intrusive high energy scanners

• Writing Inspection reports
• Communicating inspection findings
• Regulatory Authority Information System (RAIS)

As part of the programme, the fellows were taken to a new radiotherapy centre in Harare to learn how inspections of such facilities are conducted. They were also taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital’s Radiotherapy Centre.

Speaking to RPAZ Communications Department during interviews, the fellows expressed gratification towards the IAEA for funding the scientific visit and the Government of Zimbabwe and RPAZ for the immense knowledge that they received during their two-week stint at RPAZ.

Ms Linda K Hamvula who is a Radiation Safety Officer  for the Zambia Radiation Protection Authority said she learnt how to conduct entrance and exit briefings during inspections and inspection of radiotherapy centres among many other areas of inspection.

Mr Mushaukwa Liswani Kabuku who is a Director of Protection Services for the Zambia Radiation Protection Authority said he now has a better understanding and overview of radiotherapy centres and what is expected of an inspector when he goes out to inspect such facilities. He added that he learnt the importance of verification of all necessary documents when conducting inspections.

Mr Orlando Soto who is an Inspector with the Mozambique National Atomic Energy Agency said  he learnt procedures for inspecting medical and industrial facilities and the most interesting part of the programme for him was the visit to a new radiotherapy centre in Harare and the visit to Parirenyatwa hospital.

Ms Adelaide Francisco who is also an Inspector for Mozambique’s National Atomic Energy Agency said she appreciated new knowledge on how to write inspection reports, communication of inspection findings to a facility’s  management and the simulations that were done of entrance and exit meetings.

HARARE: A non-profit making organisation involved in providing support to children suffering from cancer has commemorated World Childhood Cancer Day in Harare by calling on all citizens and organisations in the country to wear orange and make donations during the week February 15-21 as a way of showing solidarity with the suffering children and those that have survived cancer.

KidzCan organised a one-day workshop where a number of stakeholders in the treatment, care and management of child cancers, cancer survivors and the media  all came together to discuss the way forward in conducting activities to manage cancer in children.

Of concern to participants was the current myth that cancer is caused by witchcraft and this has resulted in so many unnecessary deaths of children suffering from cancer. A panel of gurus in the care and treatment of cancer who included Dr Mhlanga from the Ministry of Health and Childcare and Dr Annamary Nyakabau, an Oncologist, agreed that a multi stakeholder approach could be a way of ensuring that citizens cease to see cancer as a death sentence and also cease to rely on traditional and faith healers as cancer, when detected early enough is easily curable.

A representative from Island Hospice, Ms Tembi Khumalo said that cancer survivors can also be used to demystify the thinking that faith and traditional healers can treat cancer.

Speaker after speaker narrated how cancer is becoming a huge burden for Zimbabwe’s health sector and there is need for putting in place strategies to mobilise resources towards cancer prevention, care and treatment.

RPAZ attended the workshop and was represented by Ms Rujeko Mpandanyama, a Radiation Scientist and Ms Bridget Mudota, the Corporate Communications Officer.