The Health Ministry (MS) said on Wednesday that it has not identified any complaints from the College of Romanian Medical Physicists over irregularities concerning uncertified persons illicitly practicing at medical facilities units in the fields of oncology and medical radiology and showed that a first investigation reveals the statement to contain "a series of inaccuracies and untruths."
"Thus, under the legislation in force, namely Order 1272/2006 approving rules regarding medical physicists, Art. 7 - Educational background and professional training of medical physicists comprises three levels: First level - Junior medical physicists must hold at least an undergraduate degree in Physics or equivalent (Mathematics, Computer Science, Physical Chemistry, Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, etc.) Second level - The medical physicist gets trained in medical physicist through theory classes and seminars under the supervision of an expert in medical physics and clinical practice. This level requires at least two years' seniority as junior medical physicist. The third level - In order to become an expert in medical physics, the medical physicist must get clinical training under the supervision of a physicist for at least three more years in addition to the two years as junior physicist, hold a graduate degree or post-graduate degree, and complete postgraduate classes in radioprotection approved by the National Commission on the Control of Nuclear Activities (CNCAN), hereinafter referred to as Level 3 CNCAN, and hold a Level 3 exercise license issued by CNCAN for an expert in medical physics for the appropriate field," the ministry said Wednesday in a press statement.
At the same time, MS says it has looked into the situation of the persons presented and has not identified any irregularities in their educational background or activities, as most of them are holders of CNCAN licences at different levels of exercise.
Moreover, it points out that for various reasons some of these people are no longer working at healthcare facilities, as falsely intimated (for instance they are on a maternity leave, or worked under fixed-term employment contracts).
"One of the mentioned engineers working at a hospital in Bucharest is not employed as a medical physicist and does not work with patients, as it has been misrepresented. He is a technical engineer who deals with reports CNCAN," according to MS.
According to the press statement, on December 18, 2018, the Ministry of Health received from the CFMR deputy chairman Marin Bodale a request for information on how hiring contests are conducted for positions at a department of the Ministry of Health.
MS says that it has asked Bodale to resubmit the complaint he claims to have sent to MS in early 2017 or 2018 and that went unanswered.
About false physicists illicitly practicing in the field of oncology and radiology, MS warns that such information made public without thorough verification does huge disservice to the healthcare system and patients currently undergoing medical treatment.
Marin Bodale, deputy chairman of the College of Medical Physicists of Romania (CFMR), said Wednesday that eight people practised medical physics at care facilities nationwide without having the required educational background.
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