The world’s highest altitude Centre for Nuclear Technology Research and Development (CNTRD) under construction by Rosatom in El Alto, Bolivia, has completed testing of its radiopharmaceuticals production line.
Startup work is nearly complete at the first facilities of the CNTRD, the Cyclotron Radiopharmacy Preclinical Complex (CRPC), and the Multipurpose Irradiation Centre (MIC). More than 500 Russian nationals are participating in the construction of the centre.
"With strict adherence to the schedule, we are approaching the final stage of implementing the Cyclotron Radiopharmacy Preclinical Complex, which will provide Bolivian medical clinics with the most modern radiopharmaceuticals,” said Evgeny Pakermanov, President of Rusatom Overseas.
“So far, we have successfully tested the production line of fluoroglucose, a radiopharmaceutical used in positron emission tomography, PET, to identify oncology conditions at the early stage. The availability of local radiopharmaceutical production will no doubt open up new opportunities for the Bolivian healthcare sector and further improve the efficiency of combating a wide range of health conditions that require advanced medical care," he added.
The CNTRD in El Alto is one of Bolivia’s most important healthcare projects. The radiopharmaceuticals produced at the centre will be supplied to Bolivia’s nuclear medicine centres for the diagnosis and treatment of more than 5000 patients a year. The centre, sited 4000 metres above sea level, will greatly contribute to the development of science, healthcare, agriculture and education in Bolivia while creating more than 500 high-skilled jobs
The CNTRD construction project is being implemented by the Bolivian Nuclear Energy Agency, ABEN, in collaboration with GSPI JSC (part of Rusatom Overseas). Commissioning work is nearly complete at the 1st and 2nd stage facilities — the CRPC and MIC. Construction and installation work is still underway for stages 3 and 4, which include the reactor complex and laboratory buildings. Summer 2021 saw first concrete poured for the building that will house the first in Bolivia research reactor.
Photo: Bolivia's Center for Nuclear Technology Research and Development (Credit: Rusatom Overseas)
