Zambia Puts Focus on Radiation Safety with International Collaboration
The Zambian government, led by the Ministry of Technology and Science, is actively working to enhance radiation protection in the country through strengthened international partnerships.
Brilliant Habeenzu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted this commitment during the ongoing United States Nuclear Radiation Commission (USNRC) second Regional capacity building meeting in Zambia.
Speaking on behalf of Permanent Secretary Habeenzu, Mr. William Katongo, Director of Human Resource and Administration, emphasized the alignment of Radiation Protection Authority (RPA) regulations and safety standards with those of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), given Zambia’s membership in the international organization.
The Permanent Secretary underscored RPA’s strategic goals, emphasizing improved collaboration with stakeholders and the development of a stakeholder map strategy.
This strategy involves engagement with both local and international stakeholders, contributing to the vision of establishing a credible regulator and ensuring a safe radiation environment in the country.
The regional meeting aims to identify successes, challenges, and priorities for bilateral and regional capacity building support over the next eighteen to twenty-four months. This collaborative effort seeks to promote cooperation and coordination among regional players in radiation protection.
Expressing satisfaction in collaborating with RPA and other regional radiation agencies, David Skeen, Director OIP – USNRC, acknowledged Zambia’s progress over the past five years in existing partnerships within Africa.
He commended Zambia for increasing its membership to twenty countries, recognizing the strides taken in prioritizing radiation safety.
