Center of Isotope: actions for the benefit of public health

Abstract

To commemorate the 500^th anniversary of the city of Havana, the Isotope Center reviews its activity since its creation. The production of radionuclidemarked compounds and other radiochemical work at the Institute of Nuclear Physics, inaugurated in 1969, stimulated the applications of open radioactive sources, which can be considered as the most tangible organized antecedent of the center. Later in the 1980s, the Executive Secretary for Nuclear Affairs accelerated, diversified and expanded nuclear applications, developed the training of highly qualified staff and experts as well as international cooperation. The creation of the Center for Applied Nuclear Development Studies coincided with the consolidation of a group of biotechnological research and production institutions and with these applications gaining importance in Nuclear Medicine. It was soon recognized that it was not possible to continue managing a growing inventory of radionuclides. As a result, CENTIS, a specialized center with a complete cycle, was designed and built, which comprised not only research and development, but also production and marketing. When in 1994 CENTIS became part of the Nuclear Energy Agency, investment was concluded and the production methodologies of the most important radiopharmaceuticals were established. In more than 20 years of work CENTIS has become the main support of Nuclear Medicine in the country. With its metrological capabilities in the magnitude of radioactivity and its non-clinical and clinical research, it is increasingly part of the socio-economic life of the country and its capital. In this paper the main results of each stage are detailed in relation to the mission of the center and a technical assessment is made regarding the actions taken to favor their target sectors: health and biomedical research. Periods of five years in favor of centuries.