KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — Universiti Malaya (UM) has denied allegations that the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre's (UMMC) Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scanning facility is exposed to harmful radiation risks.
It acknowledged concerns among staff regarding serious health issues related to cancer diagnosis, but said that the claims were untrue.
PET-CT operations at the medical centre are conducted in accordance with strict safety standards, with radiation exposure levels continuously monitored and controlled, while all radiation workers are required to wear personal dosimeters.
“Official records show that staff radiation exposure is far lower and remains within the gazetted dose limits, and periodic health screenings are conducted according to the prescribed schedule,” UM said in a statement today.
It added that the UMMC fully complies with relevant laws and regulations, including the Radiation Protection Programme Standard Operating Procedures, the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984, the Atomic Energy Licensing (Basic Safety Radiation Protection) Regulations 2010, and the Atomic Energy Licensing (Radioactive Waste Management) Regulations 2011.
Radioactive waste management at UMMC is closely monitored, and inspections by the Health Ministry's Medical Radiation Regulatory Division (BKRP) in October last year found no procedural violations.
“Annual licence inspection visits by BKRP enforcement authorities are also carried out in accordance with the required standards and compliance,” UM said.
The UMMC remains open to inspections by authorities to ensure continuous compliance with all regulations and safety standards.
“The management assures that the working environment involving radiation is safe and continuously supervised by accredited regulatory bodies, and urges all parties not to spread baseless speculation that could cause public concern,” it said.
Earlier, a media report alleging breaches of radiation safety procedures at the hospital’s Nuclear Medicine Unit went viral, raising concerns among staff and patients.
