After much deliberation, the department of radiology of Government Doon Medical College Hospital has received permission to operate CT scan machine, digital X- ray, normal X -ray machine and Bone Marrow Densitometer (BMD) from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

The regulator of radiation safety norms has granted licenses to these machines of the hospital and the Government hospital Mussoorie for a period of five years.

 In October, the enforcement team of AERB had found gross violations of radiation safety norms and absence of mandatory clearances. Subsequently, it had sealed one X- ray and one mammography machine and pasted warning of seizing CT scan, digital X -ray and ultrasound machine if the required safety measures were not put into place in a month. The team had also disclosed that the machines of radiology department of the biggest state –run hospital of Uttarakhand had been functioning sans registration.

During the visit, the AERB team members had observed that the technicians were not wearing the lead apron. Besides,  the mandatory Thermo luminescent Dosimeter (TlD) badge, used for measuring ionising radiation exposure, was also conspicuous by its absence.  Rattled by the warning by the atomic safety regulator, the administration of the medical college had swung into action and the process of installing the safety norms started. 

The radiation safety officer (RSO) of the hospital, Mahendra Bhandari said that 13 TlD badges and lead aprons have been purchased and those handling the machines are now using them. He said that after the formalities required for registration for licenses of the machines were done AERB has given its permission for operation of CT scan, Digital X ray, X Ray and BMD.

Principal of the college Dr Pradip Bharati Gupta informed that the process of seeking permission to the sealed X ray and mammography machines has started. “The approval of AREB would come soon,” adding that these machines too would be made operational following  the AERB nod.

Radiation safety measures are very important to minimise the harmful effects of the X rays which are ionising radiations, observers said, adding that these rays have negative effect on the body with pituitary, the master gland being most susceptible to such radiations.