Maharashtra yet to take first step towards radiation safety

Pic for representationaWith the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board AERB signing an MoU with Andhra Pradesh towards formation of the Directorate of Radiation Safety DRS for medical diagnostic Xray facilities last week the total number of states in the country that run the unit reached six However another seven which include Maharashtra signed the agreement in 2013 have not yet initiated steps to obtain authorisation from AERB for radiation safety audits of medical diagnostic imaging centres even though they have entered into the agreementDecentralising regulationSpeaking to midday Dr A U Sonawane AERB head Directorate of Regulatory Affairs amp Communications said The main reason behind establishing the DRS is to decentralise the regulation of the diagnostic medical imaging test centres which conduct Xrays computed tomography CT scans interventional radiology IR and dental Xrays As the AERB lacks manpower the DRS units set up across states are expected to play the role of watchdogs to ensure that such centres get themselves registered with AERB online and adhere to the radiation safety guidelinesSonawane further said that the concept of DRS was that once the unit is set up its officials would be able to visit the test centres and conduct inspections And if the centres were found violating safety norms then DRS would have the power of derecognise them after consulting AERB He added As per the MoU the state government has to provide the required infrastructure and manpower AERB would be the governing authority and provide all the required support to ensure that the centres adhere to safety standardsNo positive responseWhen asked the reason for delay in setting DRS units in seven states Sonawane said We have written several letters to the health secretaries of all the seven states including Maharashtra but havent received any positive response yet He added Irrespective of the fact that AERB has limited resources and manpower it conducts surprise inspections at diagnostic centers across states Just a few months ago Xray units at two major civic hospitals in Mumbai were sealed for not adhering to the AERB safety norms In all the body has raided and sealed 168 such units across the countryWhen contacted Dr Sandeep Nyayanirgune radiologist said Small diagnostic centres that are set up in slum pockets lack even the basic lead protection provided in Xray machines It is extremely harmful for patients mainly expecting mothersGood to be vigilantSpeaking on the issue Dr Rajan Badwe director TATA Hospital said It is always good to be more vigilant and have higher safety standards And if AERB gets more helping hands through DRS its always welcome Even after repeated attempts to contact State Chief Secretary Sumeet Mallick he was unavailable for comments53000Total no of imaging machines that are registered with AERB168Total number of units that have been sealed by AERBCatch up on all the latest Mumbai National and International news hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go