RPO Medical Training 1st Series

Radiation Protection Officers (Medical) [PPS(P)] Certification Training Course- Sunset Clause-First Series

“The School of Health Sciences in Collaboration with USM Specialist Hospital Recognized as the First Certification Training Center for Radiation Protection Officers (Medical) in Malaysia’’

The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Health Campus has once again made history with the organization of the first Radiation Protection Officers (Medical) [PPS(P)] Certification Training Course in Malaysia. This inaugural course, offering Category 1 modules for Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) training, was successfully conducted from 7–9 September 2025 at the School of Health Sciences (PPSK), USM Health Campus, in collaboration with Hospital Pakar USM (HPUSM).

This three-days program was attended by 24 RPO (Medical) participants from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), 7 participants from USM and 1 participant from Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (HSAAS), UPM- totalling 32 participants. The training covered both theoretical and practical aspects of radiation protection in health care settings, aligned with the standards required for PPS (P) Category 1 modules.

This training is mandatory for all licensed Radiation Protection Officers under the Ministry of Health Malaysia, in accordance with the Atomic Energy Licensing Act (Act 304) for medical purposes, and the MOH circular dated 20 August 2025, before they can be recognized as competent Radiation Protection Officers (Medical).

Professor Dr. Wan Rosli Wan Ishak, Dean of the School of Health Sciences and the licence holder of PPS(P) Training Center PPSK USM, stated that PPSK collaborated with HPUSM to establish a training center recognized by MOH. The center obtained the Class H license in December 2024, officially making it the first PPS(P) Training Center in Malaysia. He commended the proactive efforts of all staff involved from Medical Radiation Program, PPSK, the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy and Oncology (JPNRO), the Department of Radiology, and the Tranfusion Medicine Unit HPUSM, who have worked closely since 2023 to achieve this recognition.

He added, “We are very fortunate because PPSK has offered the Medical Radiation Academic Program since 2001, where both academic and non-academic staff have extensive experience in teaching and learning in the field of radiation safety and protection, using irradiation equipment at HPUSM. This advantage greatly supported PPSK in meeting the strict requirements set by the Medical Radiation Regulatory Division (BKRP), MOH, to be recognized as a PPS(P) training center.’’

He also expressed his gratitude to Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Zakaria and Professor Dr Shaharum Shamsudin as the training unit advisors, Professor Emeritus Dato’ Abd Aziz Tajuddin as one of the speakers, and all staff from the Medical Radiation Program PPSK, JPNRO, Radiology Department (HPUSM), and BKRP MOH who supported the recognition efforts.

The PPS(P) Certification Training Course was officially launched by Professor Dato’ Dr. Ab Rahman Izaini Ghani @ Ab Ghani, Director of HPUSM. In his speech, he expressed pride in the collaborations between PPSK and HPUSM, stating it would benefit many parties- particularly through generating sustainable income via shared of academic expertise, technical skills of HPUSM staff, and the joint use of medical irradiation facilities and equipment for teaching and learning. This aligns with the HPUSM’s mission as a teaching hospital that benefits all levels of society, while also supporting the government’s efforts to strengthen the national healthcare sector.

As of today, the PPS (P) Training Unit PPSK-HPUSM remains the only accredited training center licensed to offer certification training to over 7,000 existing Radiation Protection Officers (Medical). These professionals serve in governments hospitals, private hospitals, publics and private health clinics, dental clinics, and veterinary clinics across Malaysia that use irradiation equipment for medical purposes.

The launching ceremony of this first PPS (P) Certification Training Course was also graced by the presence of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Khairul Azhar Abdul Razab, Head of PPS(P) Training Unit PPSK USM, Dr. Marianie Musarudin, Program Chairperson of the Medical Radiation Program, Dr. Norazlina Mat Nawi, Nuclear Medicine Specialist ,JPNRO, Assoc. Prof Dr. Khairil Amir Sayuti, Head of Radiology Department, Dr. Shafini Mohamed Yusoff, Head of the Transfusion Medicine Unit HPUSM, along with staff from PPSK and HPUSM who served as instructors and technical trainers throughout the PPS(P) course.

Day 2- Practical session

Day 3- Closing Ceremony and Technical Visit to Radiology Department, Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Oncology Department, Transfusion Medicine Unit, HPUSM and SPICE, School of Medical Sciences.