Argentina and the International Atomic Energy Agency agree to strengthen joint tasks in the field of nuclear medicine

At the headquarters of FUESMEN, in the city of Mendoza, Grossi met with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the entity Sergio Mosconi, the Director General of the same Rodolfo Montero and the Deputy Director of Technological Connectivity at CNEA Gabriela Ciocca, to talk about the projects being implemented jointly with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Grossi commented during the meeting that he and Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero will sign “the agreements that culminate in this visit and that direct us to the IAEA and Argentina in all these activities on a mission that is becoming increasingly necessary.”

Next, he toured the major nuclear medicine facilities and services owned by FUESMEN, such as PET/MRI and the new cyclotron construction site.

This is the first time we have visited Rafael Grossi of international importance. The IAEA has supported us a lot since the establishment of FUESMEN and continues to do so. Mosconi explained that FUESMEN would not be what it is without their support, particularly in terms of training our human resources.

The President of FUESMEN also explained the following actions that will be carried out with the United Nations: “All the projects that we have done with the IAEA have been completed and multiplied. We want them to continue our support in areas such as the production of new radioisotopes for PET from solid targets, and a low-energy cyclotron. and the installation of an irradiation plant for food and agricultural products, thereby expanding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the IAEA stressed that “the Mendoza School of Nuclear Medicine Foundation is one of the most important factors in the equation of nuclear medicine and oncology in Argentina. And of course, for the IAEA, it is an important partner in a new and more dynamic initiative. Scheme The spread of radiotherapy and nuclear medicine in Argentina, the region and the world, the Rayos de Esperanza “Programme”.

Model Care and Training Center

FUESMEN was established in 1991 through an agreement between the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), the National University of Cuyo (UNCuyo) and the Mendoza Provincial Government. She has been a national and regional leader in the use of nuclear technology to diagnose and treat diseases. Its integration into the public health system has made it possible to ensure access to highly complex studies of patients with or without social coverage.
Its mission is supported by the CNEA to conduct research, equipment and teaching projects, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in funding.
Its nature as a school allows it to offer comprehensive human resource training, whereby specialists conduct applied research with almost immediate implications in areas related to cardiovascular diseases, oncology, neurological and psychiatric diseases.
FUESMEN currently offers 15 highly complex medical services and studies spread across its four locations, covering almost the entire territory of the province. It also collaborates with the replication of its management model in other nuclear medicine centers in Buenos Aires, Bariloche and Entre Rios.

A tour of the IMPSA facilities

During his visit to Mendoza, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi toured IMPSA’s facilities at the Mendoza Technology Center, where engineering and manufacturing services for new components for the construction and commissioning of CNEA’s CAREM reactor are carried out.