Strategic management of radiation protection programme in the Ministry of Health Malaysia - An approach based on MS ISO 9000 quality management system

The MS ISO 9000 Quality Management System launched in 1996 was one of the quality improvement efforts introduced by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. The main objective of implementing MS ISO 9000 in the Ministry of Health was to lay the foundation and provide a suitable framework for internalising and institutionalising quality in the health system. This Quality Management System enabled the institutions to systematically document the appropriate work processes in tandem with the requirements of the functional system of the organisation. The Quality Management System allowed the essential activities of the health care delivery to be consistently managed and continually improved upon. This paper discusses the rationale, applicability and approach taken by the Ministry of Health in its efforts to introduce and implement MS ISO 9000 Quality Management System in all its institutions. This paper describe the strategic approach taken by the Radiation Health and Safety Unit, Ministry of Health Malaysia, to develop and implement radiation protection activities for the application of radiation in medicine based on the MS ISO 9000 Quality Management System and the achievements of the unit in obtaining the certification. (author)