IAEA/RCA Regional Workshop on Radiation Processing of Natural Polymers for Healthcare Application will be held in 23-27 June 2003 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in cooperation with the Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Technologies (MINT).

The main purpose of this workshop is to i) develop methodology for production of hydrogels from natural polymer by using radiation and ii) demonstrate the application of the irradiated natural polymer for healthcare. It is noted that the RCA region is rich of natural polymers such as chitin/chitosan, carrageen and alginate that have not yet fully utilized. It is, therefore, important to use radiation technology to convert natural polymer to useful products for healthcare such as hydrogel for would dressing, water holding for plant in the desert area, and so on. It is also noted that although hundreds of synthetic materials have been used in this area, they are not environmental friendly. The use of natural polymers instead of synthetic materials will not only provide better utilization of natural resources but will also help reducing the associated environmental problems.