NAEC Harps on Nuclear Science to mitigate impact of COVID-19
KAZAN, RUSSIA - MAY 8, 2020: A medical worker handles blood samples at Tatarstan's Republican Clinical Hospital admitting patients with suspected or diagnosed coronavirus infection. Yegor Aleyev/TASS Ðîññèÿ. Êàçàíü. Ìåäèöèíñêèé ñîòðóäíèê â ëàáîðàòîðèè âî âðåìÿ òåñòèðîâàíèÿ àíàëèçà êðîâè â Ðåñïóáëèêàíñêîé êëèíè÷åñêîé áîëüíèöå, ãäå îêàçûâàþò ïîìîùü ïàöèåíòàì c êîðîíàâèðóñíîé èíôåêöèåé èëè ïîäîçðåíèåì íà íåå. Åãîð Àëååâ/ÒÀÑÑ
The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) has affirm the use of nuclear science and technology to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic especially in the medical sector.
The Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Andrew Adejo stated this in Abuja on Monday at a 2day Technical Meeting and Stakeholder Workshop on the Activities of the Nuclear Technology Center (NTC).
According to Adejo, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many sectors of the nations economy, especially the public health and as such, the application of nuclear science and technology can be applied for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
“This workshop on the activities of the NTC could not have come at a better time than now as we are witnessing the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.”
“Globally, the pandemic had affected Public Health, Economy, Medicine, and Transportation, including a host of others, therefore, the knowledge acquired from this stakeholders workshop can be applied on the peaceful application of Nuclear Science and Technology to provide services in the field of medicine for the treatment of Covid-19 patients”.
Meanwhile, Adejo revealed that the Nuclear Technology Centre (NTC) has planned facilities which include the Multipurpose Nuclear Research Reactor and Isotope Production Plant, Gamma Irradiation Facilities, Multipurpose Laboratory for Nuclear Instrumentation, Nuclear Safety and Security Laboratory and Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant.
He further stated that some of the facilities have been fully developed and operational, others are still at the various stages of development.
He however advised participants that NTC have many opportunities to harness for peaceful application of Nuclear Science Technology, he thereby charged them to start exploring these opportunities for the benefits of the nation.
The Acting Chairman, NAEC, Engr. Mukhtar Ali noted that the workshop aim at creating a forum to bring stakeholders together for a discuss on best ways to put the equipment and facilities into efficient and optimal use.
Engr. Ali further stated that the commission is always willing and ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in order to jointly achieve set goals for the attainment of national objectives.