Utilization of Nuclear Energy in the Perspective of Health Medicine

NATIONAL SEMINAR
"USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF HEALTH MEDICINE,
SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND INDONESIAN ECONOMICS “

In the Anniversary series Universitas Islam Indonesia 66th, Student Executive Institute (LEM) Faculty of Medicine and LEM Faculty of MIPA UII in collaboration with PT. Medco Power Indonesia held a National Seminar on the Utilization of Nuclear Energy in the Perspective of Indonesian Health, Medicine, Science Technology and Economics, on Saturday 20 June 2009, at the Prof. Public Lecture Building. Dr. Sardjito, UII.
 
In his remarks when opening this seminar, Vice Chancellor III UII, Ir. Sutarno, M.Sc., revealed that in order to support the development of the national industry in the future, a large supply of energy sources is needed. However, it should be remembered that development growth must be based on the principle of equity and still guarantee the principle of sustainable development. According to the Vice Rector III, the use and utilization of alternative energy other than fossil fuels is a must considering the increasingly limited energy sources. Among these alternative energy sources are renewable energy sources such as water, wind, sunlight and tides.

However, according to him, the use of renewable energy sources is still very limited and on a small scale. PLTA is less likely to be built on the island of Java. Sunlight energy (solar) is constrained by the high cost of solar cells and the small amount of energy produced because of its discontinuous nature. Geothermal energy (geothermal) is very potential but not always where geographical constraints are needed). Energy that comes from the wind is also difficult to predict considering the speed and direction of the wind at the equator is not always the same.

In recent years, energy issues have not only become a material problem for Indonesia, but will also become a crucial issue in the world. There is no side of human life (especially in today's modern era), which is not in contact with energy. "We know that energy is one of the basic human needs besides shelter, clothing and food," said Vice Rector III.
Quoting data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (Energy and Mineral Resources) for 2006, Vice Chancellor III explained that Indonesia's oil reserves are only around 9 billion barrels. If it continues to be used without discovering new oil reserves, it is estimated that these oil reserves will run out in the next two decades. Meanwhile, fossil energy sources (coal and gas) in Indonesia have not been utilized optimally and are hardly a priority.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the NETHESCO 09 National Seminar SC, AR Vertando Halim, explained that the problem of the energy crisis is our shared responsibility, including students. "Students have the role of agent of trigger so that the government places nuclear energy as an alternative energy for the progress of the nation," said the UII Faculty of Medicine student.
 
This seminar presented a number of speakers, namely dr. Tatan Saefudin Sp.Rad., M.Kes. (Head of Sub-Directorate for Radiology Services of the Indonesian Ministry of Health), Dr. Ir. Arnold Spetrisnanto (PT. Medco Power Indonesia), Setiayanto (Head of Center for Nuclear Technology and Safety) and Suparlan (WALHI Yogyakarta).
According to Ir. Arnold Soetrisnanto was affected by the increase in oil prices in 2008, affecting the increase in material and construction costs for nuclear power plants. So the generation cost for nuclear will be around 5-6 cents US$/kWh. "It still has economic value for the selling price of electricity when the PLTN operates in 2019," said the Head of Nudear Project Development PT. Medco Power Indonesia.
On the other hand, nuclear energy has many uses. One of them is in the field of medical health. according to dr. The order, role and implementation of nuclear in the health sector, is reflected in the Radiology services which consist of Diagnostic Radiology, Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services. Nuclear medicine services, usually used for the diagnosis and therapy of infectious diseases, metabolic/hormonal diseases etc., by using a regular gamma-camera, spec or pet.
When talking about nuclear, the things that usually come to mind are wars, weapons, and accidents. Of course this is reasonable considering the world is still imagining the Chernobyl reactor accident in the Soviet Union, the Three Miles Island reactor accident in the US, and the destruction of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki due to the atomic bombing in Japan.
According to Setiyanto, another thing related to nuclear power is the issue of safety. Regarding the danger of nuclear accidents, this has been anticipated since the creation of the reactor design itself. A nuclear power plant has a multi-layered design of security and accident anticipation. The safety design of a nuclear power plant, according to him, at least includes the first layer of safety where the nuclear power plant is designed, built and operated in accordance with very strict regulations, high quality and the latest technology; the second layer of safety where the PLTN is equipped with a security/safety system that is used to prevent and overcome the consequences of accidents that may occur during the life of the PLTN; and the third layer of safety where the PLTN is equipped with an additional security system, which can be expected to occur in a PLTN.
Nuclear technology is the most advanced and advanced technology today. Who has this technology, then he can be aligned with developed countries. It is a 'bold'–and 'desperate'– move, for a country the size of Indonesia to depend on more than 50% of its energy sources from petroleum, which has a very volatile price on the world market. Therefore, if it has good intentions, the government must have the courage to take firm steps to save Indonesia's energy sources.
In addition to preparations in the field of technology, public education, especially related to nuclear for peaceful use and Indonesia's energy solutions is a big homework that cannot be ignored. Government Regulation (PP) concerning Nuclear Reactor Licensing No. 43/2006 has at least slightly proved the government's seriousness. However, its running still needs to be monitored and escorted. So that there are no more worries about energy needs for future generations.