aspects of the use of radiation in medicine to ensure safety and effectiveness, and deals with the science and technology involved in this area [I.12]. The accurate measurement of radiation dose (dosimetry) is important in various applications such as radiation oncology, diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation protection. By providing dosimetry calibration services to Member States through the network of secondary standards dosimetry laboratories (SSDLs), the IAEA establishes a link to the international measurement system. Dosimetry verification services are also provided both for SSDLs and for end-user institutions engaged in radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology and radiation protection. The primary beneficiaries of these activities are hospital patients undergoing medical procedures involving radiation, and radiation workers and the general public, who benefit from improved dosimetry practices. The experimental work of the subprogramme is carried out in the IAEA’s Dosimetry Laboratory, which is part of the IAEA’s Laboratories in Seibersdorf, about 40 km from Vienna [I.13]. Specifically, standards for radiation measurements are disseminated in the fields of radiation protection, radiation medicine (radiotherapy and diagnostic X rays) and industrial applications. Traceable quality audits and comparisons are implemented to ensure controlled radiation dosages in radiotherapy, radiation protection and radiation processing in Member States. I.6. NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING The mission of the IAEA’s subprogramme on Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging is based on Article II of the IAEA Statute: “The Agency shall seek to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world” [I.14]. The subprogramme has the specific goal of fostering the application of nuclear medicine techniques as part of the clinical management of certain types of diseases. 8 The long term objective of the subprogramme in nuclear medicine and diagnostic imaging focuses on enhancing the capability of Member States to address health needs through the use of nuclear medicine techniques in both imaging and therapeutic applications as a complement to conventional techniques. Different activities are conducted under this subprogramme: coordinated research projects; expert meetings to advise the IAEA on specific topics; publications and manuals, including educational material; an educational web site; and databases. Many projects run under the subprogramme are oriented towards the clinical applications of standard and emerging technologies in nuclear medicine such as single photon emission computed tomography–computed tomography and positron emission tomography–computed tomography for two of the major causes of death: cancer and cardiovascular diseases. There is also a focus on therapeutic applications, wherein the primary objective is to make available fundamental radiopharmaceuticals for routine clinical use in developing countries and to develop, evaluate and standardize new radiopharmaceuticals for effective use in diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures. Finally, the subprogramme manages projects related to quality improvement in the clinical practice of nuclear medicine. I.7. SUMMARY Radiotherapy is one of the main pillars of cancer care. There are gross inequalities in the provision of and access to this service between developed and developing countries. The policy of the IAEA is that radiotherapy should not be addressed in isolation. Ideally, the establishment and strengthening of radiotherapy services should be coupled with efforts to improve prevention, early detection, diagnostics and palliative care. This holistic approach requires a coordinated effort that includes international organizations, governments, and non-governmental organizations, in particular scientific and academic centres, the donor community and the private sector. The philosophy of the IAEA is that, in principle, all cancer patients deserve optimal available care, including radiation medicine techniques. However, recognizing the disparity of resources available around the world, it is more