PUTRAJAYA, April 20 (Bernama) — Claims of a cancer cluster at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UUMC) Nuclear Medicine Unit are not linked to radiation safety compliance issues, following an investigation by the Ministry of Health (MOH), said the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).
MOSTI, in a statement today, said findings by the Medical Radiation Regulatory Division (BKRP) and MOH showed no critical radiation safety violations related to the allegations.
It added that the investigation was conducted in accordance with the stipulated legislation under the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304) and the Atomic Energy Licensing (Amendment) Act 2025 (Act A1779), which define the authorities’ jurisdiction in regulating the use of radioactive materials and radiation generators.
“As per the law, for medical purposes, the licensing authority is the Health director-general, while for non-medical uses, it is under the director-general of the Department of Atomic Energy Malaysia (Atom Malaysia),” it added.
MOSTI stressed that Atom Malaysia and BKRP are always committed to ensuring the safety of radiation workers and the public.
The ministry also assured that strict action would be taken against any individual or licensee who does not comply with Act 304, the regulations and conditions of the licence.
On April 17, Universiti Malaya (UM) denied allegations that the Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scanning facility at UMMC was exposed to harmful radiation risks.
UM, in a statement, said it acknowledged concerns among staff regarding serious health issues related to cancer diagnosis but stressed that the claims were untrue.
According to UM, PET-CT operations at the medical centre are conducted in accordance with strict safety standards, with radiation exposure levels continuously monitored and controlled, while all radiation workers are required to wear personal dosimeters.
Earlier, a media report alleging breaches of radiation safety procedures at the hospital’s Nuclear Medicine Unit went viral, raising concerns among staff and patients.
— BERNAMA