December 2021, El Alto, Bolivia – The highest Center of Nuclear Technology Research and Development in the world by altitude, currently under construction by the Rosatom State Corporation in El Alto, Bolivia, has seen successful testing of its radiopharmaceuticals production line. At the moment, start-up work is nearly complete at the first facilities of the CNTRD, the Cyclotron Radiopharmacy Preclinical Complex, CRPC, and the Multipurpose Irradiation Center, MIC. More than 500 Russian nationals are participating in the construction of the center.
"With strict adherence to the schedule, we are approaching the final stage of implementing the Cyclotron Radiopharmacy Preclinical Complex, which will provide Bolivian medical clinics with the most modern radiopharmaceuticals. So far, we have successfully tested the production line of fluoroglucose, a radiopharmaceutical used in positron emission tomography, PET, to identify oncology conditions at the early stage. The availability of own radiopharmaceuticals production will no doubt open up new opportunities for the Bolivian healthcare sector and further improve the efficiency of combating a wide range of health conditions that require advanced medical care," said Evgeny Pakermanov, President of Rusatom Overseas.
The Center of Nuclear Technology Research and Development in El Alto is one of Bolivia’s most important projects in healthcare. The radiopharmaceuticals produced at the center will be supplied to the country’s nuclear medicine centers for the diagnosis and treatment of more than 5000 patients per year. Local residents will therefore be able to pass quality medical tests in a timely manner using cutting-edge nuclear medicine without having to travel abroad.
Located 4000 m above sea level, the CNTRD project is one of its kind in the world. Its construction will greatly contribute to the development of science, healthcare, agriculture and education in Bolivia while also creating more than 500 high-skilled jobs for Bolivian citizens.
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The Center of Nuclear Technology Research and Development in El Alto, Bolivia, is an innovative project that brings together cutting-edge nuclear technologies for healthcare, agriculture and many other industries. The CNTRD construction project is delivered by the Bolivian Nuclear Energy Agency, ABEN, in collaboration with GSPI JSC (within the Rusatom Overseas control circuit). At the moment, commissioning work is nearly complete at the 1st and 2nd stage facilities of CNTRD construction: the Cyclotron Radiopharmacy Preclinical Complex, CRPC, and the Multipurpose Irradiation Center, MIC. At the same time, construction and installation work is still underway for stages 3 and 4, which include the reactor complex and laboratory buildings. Summer 2021 saw the momentous first concrete pour ceremony for the building that will house the first in Bolivia research reactor. Luis Arce, head of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, took part in the event.