The contribution of the World Health Organization to international co-operation in medical preparedness for radiation emergencies

Only a limited number of countries are able to carry out the wide range of actions on the medical handling of a radiation emergency. Thus, it appears reasonable to establish a global network of a few specialized centres with international responsibilities under the WHO umbrella. In May 1988 the World Health Assembly took the decision to accede to the Convention on Assistance in the case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency. WHO has established 6 collaborating centres: in France, the USA, the USSR, Argentina, Brazil and Australia. These centres serve as focal points for advice and training; assist in the establishment of medical emergency plans for large scale radiation accidents; initiate co-ordinated studies on human radiopathology and radiation epidemiology; and assist in the preparation of relevant documents, guidelines and meetings. In the event of a radiation accident, the collaborating centres could provide a team for on-site medical treatment; a team for rapid external radiation monitoring and/or contamination surveys with appropriate equipment; transportation of patients; facilities and staff for medical examination and treatment; follow-up medical supervision and treatment. At present, efforts are under way to increase the number of WHO collaborating centres to about ten and to establish closer ties among them so that an international network of WHO collaborating centres could be set up. Countries which do not have collaborating centres can be involved in the network through their 'liaison institutions', i.e. national points of contact with the appropriate collaborating centre(s), and/or with WHO. A contribution is also expected from 'support institutions', i.e. to assist in solving such national institutions as could be activated or invited to assist in solving particular problems, especially in an emergency situation