MILESTONES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE IN EGYPT
Abstract
The application of “Nuclear Medicine” first started in Egypt in the late 1950’s when three physicians; Dr. M. El-Saadani and Dr. F. Sallam, both of the department of internal medicine, Cairo University, with Dr. H. El-Daw started working on the use of radioiodine in the diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism. As an interesting byway, Dr. El-Daw then went on to a career in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
More widespread application of nuclear medicine techniques progressed in 1960 when the IAEA sent a special envoy from the United States by name of M. Bender who assembled a photo-scintiscanner to help in imaging radiotracer deposition in different organs. He was aided in these efforts by Dr. M. Mahfouz from the department of radiotherapy, Cairo University. From this humble beginning, Dr. Mahfouz was able to establish a nuclear medicine unit that currently boasts not only an established residency program but also awards postgraduate degrees in the field; both M.Sc., and M.D.
Just a few months later the arrival of another expert from the IAEA, W. J. MacIntyre from Cleveland, USA provided further impetus to the progression of Nuclear Medicine in Egypt. Dr. MacIntyre, a physicist, taught through a series of lectures and workshops the applications of radioisotopes in various organs, particularly the heart and liver. This coincided with the return to Egypt of Dr. M Abdel-Razzak. Having just completed 16 months practical training at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, USA, with Dr H. Wagner, on the medical uses of radioisotopes in diagnosis and therapy, Dr. Abdel-Razzak greatly facilitated Dr MacIntyre’s mission.
Further spread of nuclear medicine applications proceeded in the late 1960’s when Dr M Nofal founded a unit at the University of Alexandria following his return from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. Again it should be mentioned that later on Dr. Nofal was appointed head of the medical division of
the IAEA.
The pioneering effort of all these individuals was also fully supported by the official agencies in the form of the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, and the Regional Radioisotope Centre for the Arab Countries. The latter even went on to provide teaching courses on the medical uses of radioisotopes for candidates from Egyptian universities as well as other Arab countries.
As a result, Nuclear Medicine units started to appear in all parts of Egypt; in the universities, military hospitals and later on even as private enterprises. In 1997, a group of people working in the field of nuclear medicine headed by Dr. M. Abdel-Razzak decided it was time to set up an organisation that would bring them all together and the Egyptian Society of Nuclear Medicine Specialists (ESNMS) came into being. Today ESNMS boasts 158 members. It includes physicians, physicists, chemists and engineers, and has hosted an annual international conference on Nuclear Medicine every year since the year 2000.
The number of specialists working in the field currently comprises 98 physicians, 42 physicists, 98 technicians, 7 radio-chemists, and 91 nurses. They operate a total of 49 SPECT gamma cameras, 2 planar and another three that are currently inoperational. These are distributed all over the country, with 21 SPECT gamma cameras in university hospitals (+ 2 planar), 7 in ministry of health hospitals, 18 in private centres and two PET-CT systems. Three universities have a current Nuclear Medicine program (Cairo, Assiut and Sohag) that offers postgraduate degrees; the Diploma (18 months), Master (2-3 years), and Doctorate (2-3 years) degrees.
The field of Nuclear Medicine in Egypt has come a long way since its first beginnings. What started out as obscure units hidden within the confines of larger departments is now a specialty in its own right. The application of nuclear medicine techniques in diagnosis and management of various medical conditions has become more accepted, but is still held back by the misinformation of the general public, and the reluctance of some of the medical profession. It is the hope and aim of our society to further the spread of Nuclear Medicine in Egypt through the combined efforts of our members.
More widespread application of nuclear medicine techniques progressed in 1960 when the IAEA sent a special envoy from the United States by name of M. Bender who assembled a photo-scintiscanner to help in imaging radiotracer deposition in different organs. He was aided in these efforts by Dr. M. Mahfouz from the department of radiotherapy, Cairo University. From this humble beginning, Dr. Mahfouz was able to establish a nuclear medicine unit that currently boasts not only an established residency program but also awards postgraduate degrees in the field; both M.Sc., and M.D.
Just a few months later the arrival of another expert from the IAEA, W. J. MacIntyre from Cleveland, USA provided further impetus to the progression of Nuclear Medicine in Egypt. Dr. MacIntyre, a physicist, taught through a series of lectures and workshops the applications of radioisotopes in various organs, particularly the heart and liver. This coincided with the return to Egypt of Dr. M Abdel-Razzak. Having just completed 16 months practical training at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, USA, with Dr H. Wagner, on the medical uses of radioisotopes in diagnosis and therapy, Dr. Abdel-Razzak greatly facilitated Dr MacIntyre’s mission.
Further spread of nuclear medicine applications proceeded in the late 1960’s when Dr M Nofal founded a unit at the University of Alexandria following his return from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. Again it should be mentioned that later on Dr. Nofal was appointed head of the medical division of
the IAEA.
The pioneering effort of all these individuals was also fully supported by the official agencies in the form of the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, and the Regional Radioisotope Centre for the Arab Countries. The latter even went on to provide teaching courses on the medical uses of radioisotopes for candidates from Egyptian universities as well as other Arab countries.
As a result, Nuclear Medicine units started to appear in all parts of Egypt; in the universities, military hospitals and later on even as private enterprises. In 1997, a group of people working in the field of nuclear medicine headed by Dr. M. Abdel-Razzak decided it was time to set up an organisation that would bring them all together and the Egyptian Society of Nuclear Medicine Specialists (ESNMS) came into being. Today ESNMS boasts 158 members. It includes physicians, physicists, chemists and engineers, and has hosted an annual international conference on Nuclear Medicine every year since the year 2000.
The number of specialists working in the field currently comprises 98 physicians, 42 physicists, 98 technicians, 7 radio-chemists, and 91 nurses. They operate a total of 49 SPECT gamma cameras, 2 planar and another three that are currently inoperational. These are distributed all over the country, with 21 SPECT gamma cameras in university hospitals (+ 2 planar), 7 in ministry of health hospitals, 18 in private centres and two PET-CT systems. Three universities have a current Nuclear Medicine program (Cairo, Assiut and Sohag) that offers postgraduate degrees; the Diploma (18 months), Master (2-3 years), and Doctorate (2-3 years) degrees.
The field of Nuclear Medicine in Egypt has come a long way since its first beginnings. What started out as obscure units hidden within the confines of larger departments is now a specialty in its own right. The application of nuclear medicine techniques in diagnosis and management of various medical conditions has become more accepted, but is still held back by the misinformation of the general public, and the reluctance of some of the medical profession. It is the hope and aim of our society to further the spread of Nuclear Medicine in Egypt through the combined efforts of our members.