First International Forum on Nuclear Medicine of the BRICS countries, has begun on June 20, 2024 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The forum has brought together more than 250 representatives of the BRICS countries including Ethiopia, China, Brazil, India, South Africa and others, and is organized by the Ministry of Health of Russia and Rosatom.
“Today, we are witnessing formation of a new direction within the BRICKS group — BRICS nuclear medicine. The BRICS countries have significant potential in the development and application of atomedical methods and tools. Our effective cooperation will contribute to new achievements in healthcare,” said Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of Russia.
During the Forum, experts from the BRICS countries will continue to discuss and develop a set of proposals and recommendations for effective cooperation and interaction within the framework of the BRICS for the benefit of the common goal of improving the quality of life and reducing mortality of patients with oncological and non-oncological diseases. The issues of development and production of effective radiopharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and therapy of various diseases in oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, and psychiatry are in the agenda.
In addition, the participants of the event will discuss the current challenges facing all national healthcare systems in terms of education and training in specialized fields, faster introduction of advanced technological solutions in the field of radiopharmaceuticals and specialized equipment into medical practice.
“Nuclear medicine is one of the priorities in Rosatom’s activities. We develop infrastructure for medical care, manufacture and supply medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, create equipment for diagnostics and therapy, and develops solutions for ionizing treatment of medical products. I am sure that the Forum will contribute to the development of the human, intellectual, scientific, technical, industrial and market potential of the participating countries for the benefit of the health of citizens,” noted Yuri Olenin, Deputy DG for Science and Strategy of Rosatom.
The event is attended by heads of executive authorities in the field of healthcare, national societies of nuclear medicine and other professional associations, heads and leading scientific specialists of organizations for the production of radioisotopes, development and production of radiopharmaceuticals, heads of large oncological clinics, cardiological centers and other medical institutions engaged in the practical application of nuclear medicine methods.
A Review of the best practices in BRICS nuclear medicine is planned to be presented and distributed at the sites of the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Earlier, at the initiative of Russia, a BRICS Working Group on Nuclear Medicine was established by the decision of the BRICS summit held in South Africa in August 2023.
Russia ranks first in the world in terms of the range of isotope products and is among the top 5 isotope producers on the world market. Russian medical isotopes are in high demand abroad — in China, India, Brazil and other countries.
