A Specialist Who Dedicated 17 Years to Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine plays a vital role in modern oncology. Since 2022, the Medical Center Hospital of the President’s affairs Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan has operated its own Nuclear Medicine Center with an in-house production complex. Currently, the Center produces seven types of radiopharmaceuticals, enabling accurate diagnostics and timely treatment.

Aigul Sadvakassova, Head of the Nuclear Medicine Center, shared the story of the Center’s development and her own professional journey.

- How did you come into the field of nuclear medicine?

- My journey in this field began in my youth. While working in radiology, I received an offer to join Kazakhstan’s first Nuclear Medicine Center — the Department of Radioisotope Diagnostics. It was an exciting yet daunting step, as I was entering a vast and unfamiliar area. I made the decision to contribute to the development of this new field for the country — and I have never once regretted that choice.

Of my 34 years in radiology, more than 17 have been devoted to nuclear medicine. I am grateful to my country for the opportunity to grow professionally, and especially to the first center, which laid the foundation for this field in Kazakhstan. Thanks to such steps, nuclear medicine is now actively integrating into clinical practice and taking on new significance.

- Tell us about the work of the Nuclear Medicine Center at the Medical Center Hospital?

- The story of our Center began in 2015, when radiopharmaceuticals were supplied by the Republican Diagnostic Center. However, frequent disruptions in their production unit often hindered consistent delivery.

As a result, a strategically important decision was made — to build our own production complex, which was officially launched in 2022. Today, radiopharmaceuticals are produced on-site and delivered directly to diagnostic departments. This eliminated our dependence on external suppliers and ensured uninterrupted patient care throughout the year.