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| Ex-Director SKIMS misled AERB over PET scan installation | | | Early Times Report
srinagar, Oct 15: While cancer patients in Kashmir are suffering for want of PET scan, the former Director of SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) misled the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) over installation of the facility at the hospital, making it vulnerable to deadly radiation hazard.
Sources said the then Director along with Head of the Nuclear Medicine department and other officials of the then administration initially showed a site near Genetic Center of the hospital to the AERB experts for installation of PET scan machine.
"However, later without assigning any reason, they (SKIMS administration) resubmitted a plan to the AERB for installation of the PET scan in the out patient department which is visited by thousands of people daily," they revealed.
"According to the original plan, the SKIMS administration had to construct a new space for the installation of the PET scan. The area had to be fenced in a way to restrict the entry of people near the site. However, both the Director and HoD Nuclear Medicine provided wrong information to the AERB regarding the installation of the facility," sources added.
A senior doctor said the PET scan machine, which generates radiation, can't be installed at a place where there is rush of people. "The machine has to be installed in isolation as radiation hazard it generates is harmful for the people," he said.
The doctor alleged that the then Director and HoD Nuclear Medicine were in a hurry to purchase the PET scan machine for unknown reasons. "Why did they ignore the safety norms and provided wrong information to the AERB officials? The machine costs crores of rupees and the then SKIMS administration was in a hurry to purchase it, ignoring safety norms as the Director's tenure was near ending," he added.
Sources said the role of HoD Nuclear Medicine is being investigated and a committee has been formed by the incumbent Director SKIMS, Dr G A Ahangar which has recommended re-inspection of the site by AERB officials.
"The SKIMS administration may soon float new tenders for the construction of the space for installation of the PET scan after the AERB officials give OK for the site. According to norms, the SKIMS has to depute a radiation safety officer for six months training in handling the machine which generates radiation," they added.
Despite repeated attempts the accused could not be contacted for comments. But the SKIMS administration confirmed to have taken note of the issue.
"This is a serious issue as it pertains to safety of thousands of people who were being made vulnerable to radiation hazard. This is criminal offence, I can say with confidence," the official said. |
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