Namibia Energy Institute 2nd Public Lectures 2019

Namibia Energy Institute

Public Lectures

Second Public Lecture Series on

Nuclear Sciences and Technologies

The Practice of Nuclear Medicine in Namibia

Abstract

Nuclear medicine plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including cancer. The practice of nuclear medicine in the world has evolved over the past 70 years in terms of technology, radioisotopes, education and training, clinical procedures and utilization. Techniques using radioisotopes in nuclear medicine have proven their efficacy in the primary diagnosis and staging of different malignancies with high sensitivity and specificity, thereby detecting pathology far before it is evident, or detectable on conventional medical imaging. The aim of this public lecture is to reflect on the most recent developments in the specialty of nuclear medicine in Namibia and to envision future directions. These issues will be discussed in terms of dimensions of practice, growth over the years, as well as the education and training needs of professionals in the field of nuclear medicine in Namibia.

About the Speaker

Dr Shitaleni C Herman, is a Namibian expert in nuclear medicine. He graduated with a Doctoral degree in Medicine (MD) from the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Medica, in Camguey, Cuba in 1999, followed by postgraduate studies at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2005 and is the first nuclear medicine specialist in the country.

He has been instrumental in the reform of nuclear medicine in Namibia and has helped with the training of several nuclear medicine professionals, including medical specialists. Dr Herman’s professional experience spans more than 20 years of which the greater part was spent as a Nuclear Medicine Physician and Head of Nuclear Medicine in Namibia.

Dr Herman is also the Executive Director of Namibia Nuclear Imaging, one of only four companies offering services in this highly specialized field of medicine. Dr Herman is a valued member of the Namibian Medical Society, the South Africa Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, as well the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. He serves on several advisory committees, including the Scientific Committee of the Atomic Energy Board in Namibia.

Modern Advances in Diagnostic Imaging

Abstract

Today, most hospitals are equipped with digital imaging modalities such as digital radiography, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography scanners, digital angiography units, and magnetic resonance imagers. There have been many improvements to imaging technology in recent years. Modern scanners can, within a few seconds, acquire images and construct sections in coronal, sagittal or a large variety of oblique planes, using large volumes of data from the axial sections. Computer programmes even allow tortuous structures, such as arteries and veins to be ‘unravelled’ and shown throughout their length in relation to their surroundings. Minimal invasive surgeries and treatment are made possible by new imaging technologies. While good clinical medicine must come first, we must not forget that most of the latest technological advances aim to extend our diagnostic range and to replace erstwhile invasive procedures with simple, reliable and cost-effective screening methods. It will therefore be short-sighted to ignore the advanced uses and applications offered by modern technologies, because of the significant costs associated with the acquisition of such cutting-edge and life-saving technologies.

About the Speaker

Dr Edward Fynn is the Head of Department and Consultant Radiologist at the UNAM School of Medicine and a senior specialist at the Windhoek Central and Katutura State hospitals.

He is a a graduate of the University of Ghana Medical School and a fellow of the South African College of Medicine. Dr Fynn earned his medical degree in 1993. He completed a diagnostic radiology residency at the College of Medicine of South Africa in 2005. He received a Master of Medicine in Radiodiagnostics from the Medical University of South Africa.

From 2005 to 2009, Dr Fynn served as a Radiologist in private practice in Johannesburg. In 2009 he moved to Windhoek to set up Proqual Diagnostic Imaging, a firm which offers high

quality image diagnoses using advanced X-rays, CT-scans, digital mammography (used to detect breast cancer), ultrasounds – including vascular Doppler – obstetrics, bone densities and fluoroscopy examinations, among others.

Date: Thursday, 21 February 2019

Time: 1 8:00

Venue: Health and Applied Sciences Auditorium, NUST Lower Campus

Enquiries

Ndakema Hamunghete
Projects Officer
T: +264 61 207 2011	www.nust.na
E: nhamunghete@nust.na