History
By resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the USSR Council of Ministers in the Semipalatinsk region in 1947 was created the polygon, where the period of 1949-1989 were tested nuclear weapons.
As a result of these tests, the settlements adjacent to the area of the polygon, for many years have been affected by radioactive contamination.
To control the radiation-hygienic situation and to estimate the health of the population, in March 1957 in Semipalatinsk was opened specialized confidential medical institution – Clinic №4 of MoH of the USSR.
Clinic was operating as classified “Top Secret”. There were forbidden any contact with the Military Departments, presiding activity of STS.
After the disintegration of the USSR, by the Decree of President N.A. Nazarbayev № 409 in 29.08.1991 was closed the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.
In August 1991, on the basis of the clinic, there was created the Institute of Radiation Medicine and Ecology of the MoH of the Kazakh SSR.
On the basis of the Resolution of the Government of the RK №1335 of 25.12.1998 Institute of Radiation Medicine and Ecology MoH of the RK was reorganized into the RSBSE “Scientific-Research Institute for Radiation Medicine and Ecology”.
On the basis of the Resolution of the Government of the RK №666 of 19.10.2018 RSBSE “Scientific Research Institute of Radiation Medicine and Ecology” was reorganized into the RSBSE “Scientific Research Institute of Radiation Medicine and Ecology” of Semey Medical University, NCJSC.
Scientific unit
The scientific division of the RMaE Research Institute works by creating Temporary Research Teams. The main activity is aimed at:
- studying the impact of radiation and other anthropogenic factors on the environment, people and animals;
- reconstruction of radiation situations and effective exposure doses by empirical models and the content of residual radiation in environmental objects;
- development of medium and long term programs to minimize the consequences of nuclear test sites.
The State Scientific Automated Medical Register of the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan exposed to radiation exposure as a result of the activities of the SNTS has been created and operates on the basis of the RMaE Research Institute. The main tasks of the register are:
- to provide a long-term personal registration of persons directly exposed to radiation and their subsequent generations;
- to calculate exposure doses;
- to monitor the state of health, an objective assessment of health damage of affected citizens;
- to conduct research on the impact of the radiation factor on morbidity and mortality in the exposed population;
- to develop optimal strategies to minimize health consequences.
Clinical division
The clinic of the RMaE Research Institute is represented by two divisions:
The Consultative and Diagnostic Department (capacity of 120 visits per shift) is carrying out in-depth examination of the population with application of modern highly informative diagnostic methods, indication of radiation exposure and role of radiation factor in the development of somatic diseases. The tasks of the consultative and diagnostic department are early verification of: oncological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, blood diseases, thyroid diseases.
The rehabilitation department (with 40 beds, including 30 beds of a 24-hour hospital, 10 beds of a day hospital) helps to restore and preserve health in a timely manner, reducing early disability, morbidity and mortality, increasing the working age and life expectancy of the population of the exposed areas.
The Regional Interdepartmental Expert Council works on the basis of the Research Institute of the RMaE, which conducts the expertise of causal connection of diseases and mortality with exposure to ionizing radiation. The conclusion of the expert council is the basis for the affected persons to apply to the bodies of social protection of the population in order to receive social benefits.
Expert Council
Activities of the Regional Expert Council
The Regional Interdepartmental Expert Council (hereinafter referred to as REC) functioning in the Research Institute of RMaE since 2000 performs expert and advisory work on assessing the relationship between diseases, disability and mortality from exposure to radiation factors.
The Regional Expert Council is a collegial body, which includes employees of the Research Institute of RMaE of SMU, NCJSC and specialized specialists of healthcare organizations.
The activity of the REС is regulated by the following regulatory legal acts:
- The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Social Protection of citizens affected by nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site” dated 18.12.1992 No.1788-XII;
- The Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 7, 2020 “On the health of the people and the healthcare system” with subparagraph 76, of Article 7.
- Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 30, 2020 No. RK MOH-217/2020 “On approval of the list of diseases associated with exposure to ionizing radiation, and the Rules for establishing a causal relationship;
- The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On radiation safety of the population” dated April 23, 1998 No. 219;
- Methodological Guidelines “Organization of work of Interdepartmental Expert Councils to determine causal connection of diseases with ionizing radiation exposure,” 2005;
- Methodological recommendations “Assessment of effective equivalent doses of ionizing radiation in population living in areas contaminated by testing at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site,” 2010;
- Methodological recommendations “Application of the list of diseases associated with indirect radiation exposure in persons born from irradiated parents as a result of nuclear weapons tests at the SNTS in the work of interdepartmental expert councils”, 2014.
Calculation of individual effective radiation doses to specific individuals formed as a result of nuclear weapon tests at the Semipalatinsk test site is performed according to the methodology developed by specialists of the RI of Radiation Medicine and Ecology (approved by the MOH of the RK on November 19, 2010). This methodology is adapted to the main provisions of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 18.12.1992 No. 1787-XII, “On social protection of citizens affected by tests at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site” regarding the distribution of territories, affected areas of three regions of Kazakhstan into radiation risk zones.
Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated April 30, 2020 No. RK MOH-217/2020 “On approval of the list of diseases associated with exposure to ionizing radiation and the Rules for establishing causal relationship” defines the list of documents submitted by applicants to the Expert Council, after consideration of which the expert commission makes a conclusion whether ionizing radiation was the cause of the disease (or death).
Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 30, 2020 No. RK MOH -217/2020 “On approval of the list of diseases associated with exposure to ionizing radiation and the Rules for establishing a causal relationship”.
Payment details for Expert Council services:
Regional Expert Council at the Research Institute of Radiation Medicine and Ecology. Non-profit Joint Stock Company “Semey Medical University” nii.rm@med.mail.kz 071407, Abay region, Semey, 258 Gagarin St., tel. 8(7222)77-42-01
JSC “Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan”
BIN: 190240004938
ITN: KZ166010261000069831
ITN: KZ346010261000060001 – for settlement in rubles, at the exchange rate
CT: 859 KBE-16
- 4000 KZT – Examination of the causal relationship of diseases with exposure to ionizing radiation.
- 2000 KZT – Calculation of the effective equivalent dose.
- 800 KZT – Postal transfer in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- 2500 KZT – Postal transfer in the CIS.
